Outrage over Israeli soldier’s vandalism of Jesus statue in Lebanon

By Yolande Knell
Apr. 21, 2026

An image of an Israeli soldier apparently hitting a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon has prompted widespread condemnation after being widely shared online.

Israel’s 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 every Christian whose feelings were hurt.”

Locals say the statue was on a crucifix outside a family home on the edge of Debel, one of the few villages where residents have remained during Israel’s war with Hezbollah.

The head of Debel’s congregation, Father Fadi Flaifel, told the BBC: “We totally reject the desecration of the cross, our sacred symbol, and all religious symbols.

“It goes against the declaration of human rights, and it doesn’t reflect civility.”

He claimed similar acts had happened before.

The Israeli military confirmed that the image circulating on social media was genuine, and said it viewed the incident “with great severity and emphasises that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops”.

“Appropriate measures” will be taken against those involved, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) added, saying it was working with the Christian community to “restore the statue to its place”.

Thousands of Israeli troops continue to occupy a wide area of southern Lebanon after a US-brokered ceasefire came into force between Israel and Lebanon on Friday.

The ceasefire has paused six weeks of fighting between the IDF and the Shia Muslim armed group Hezbollah, although both sides have accused each other of violations.

News of the attack on the statue prompted the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister, to say on X that “swift, severe, & public consequences are needed”.

Right-wing US commentators were quick to denounce the picture of the Israeli soldier and the statue of Jesus. “Horrific,” wrote Matt Gaetz, a former adviser to President Donald Trump and former congressman, as he reposted the photo.

Continue reading at www.bbc.com

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