US EditionNetanyahu Condemns Soldier Who Smashed Jesus Statue in Lebanon
The military opened a criminal probe and pledged disciplinary action after confirming the image as real and promising to help restore the statue.
- The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Monday that an image shared Sunday by Palestinian activist Younes Tirawi showing a soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ in the southern Lebanese village of Debel is authentic.
- This incident occurred in the Christian village of Debel within the Bint Jbeil district amid a fragile 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, after Israel reported killing 150 Hezbollah operatives in the region.
- Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the act as "shameful and disgraceful," while U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee demanded "swift, severe, & public consequences" and the military vowed to "restore the statue to its place."
- Local priest Fadi Falfel described the act as a "desecration of our holy symbols," fueling criticism that Israel discriminates against Christians, echoing tensions from last month when police blocked clergy from a Palm Sunday service at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
- Amid the broader conflict, nearly 2,300 people have been killed and over 1 million displaced in Lebanon, with observers arguing that religious site incidents undermine Israel's stated justification of "defending Judeo-Christian values" in the Middle East.
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OP-ED: Soldier Smashing Religious Icon In Lebanon Caused Needless Chilul Hashem
JERUSALEM (VINnews) — On Sunday, an image of an Israeli soldier hitting a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon prompted widespread condemnation after being widely shared online. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” by what happened. Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, said: “We apologise for this incident and to […]
Shows a soldier destroying a crucifix in southern Lebanon
Beirut. Following the viralization of the video showing an Israeli soldier hitting a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the veracity of the images, so the Israeli Prime Minister and fugitive from the International Criminal Court, Benjamin Netanyahu, promised “severe measures”.
The hammer of Israel is my cartoon for The Newspaper in the newsstand today #Israel #Lebanon #Crucifix #Vignetta #Humour #ilfactoquotidiano The article The hammer of Israel comes from The Daily Fat.
The Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa: "Deep indignation." Benjamin Netanyahu: "Under shock." But then he violates the ceasefire and says: "I have not finished with Iran." He stirred up dismay and indignation the image of an Israeli soldier who hammers the head of a statue of Jesus crucified in southern Lebanon. And, as if that were not enough, Israel broke the truce in the Cedar Country. The photo showing the gesture of unheard of gravity…
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