Israeli troops get prison for desecration of Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Two Israeli soldiers were sentenced to military prison for desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, with one sticking a cigarette in the statue's mouth and the other photographing the act.
- The photo, showing a soldier with a cigarette in his mouth mimicking the statue, went viral and caused widespread outrage, adding to recent criticisms of Israeli forces for anti-Christian actions in the region.
- The Israeli military sentenced the soldier who posed to 21 days in prison and the photographer to 14 days, emphasizing respect for religious symbols and freedom of worship.
- This incident followed a similar case where Israeli soldiers were punished for damaging a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, drawing condemnation from international and religious leaders.
- Separately, an Israeli soldier was killed near the Lebanon border, marking the 18th Israeli military casualty since the start of the conflict involving Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran-backed forces.