Ololade Adeyanju/
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has condemned the actions of a soldier filmed striking a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, after the Israel Defense Forces confirmed the authenticity of the image and launched an investigation.
In a statement shared on X, Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” by the incident, stressing that it runs contrary to the principles the Israeli state claims to uphold.
He described the act as unacceptable and confirmed that a criminal probe is underway, with assurances that “appropriately harsh disciplinary action” would follow.
“As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths,” Netanyahu said, adding that all religions are able to practise freely within Israel.
The IDF had earlier stated that a preliminary examination verified the image, which shows a soldier damaging a Catholic religious icon during operations in southern Lebanon.
The military described the conduct as “wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops” and said the case is being handled by its Northern Command through the chain of command.
It also pledged to assist in restoring the damaged statue, while reiterating that its operations are focused on dismantling infrastructure linked to Hezbollah and not targeting civilian or religious sites.
The incident has stirred sensitivities given the religious significance of the symbol involved.
Christianity, centred on the teachings of Jesus Christ, regards such statues and icons as important expressions of faith, particularly within Catholic traditions.
Judaism, the foundational religion of Israel, does not typically use religious images in worship and places emphasis on different forms of religious expression.
Despite these differences, both faiths share historical roots and emphasise reverence for the sacred, making acts perceived as disrespectful to religious symbols especially contentious.
Netanyahu, in his statement, also contrasted Israel’s record on religious freedom with conditions elsewhere in the region, asserting that Christian communities in Israel continue to grow and practise openly.
He expressed regret over the incident and the offence it may have caused to Christians in Lebanon and globally.
The development comes amid heightened tensions in southern Lebanon, where exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah have intensified.
Observers say the outcome of the military investigation will be closely watched, both in terms of accountability and its broader implications for the protection of religious heritage during armed conflict.
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