IDF Making Amends in Lebanon for Soldier's Smashing of Jesus Statue
JERUSALEM, Israel – An incident in Lebanon this past week, where an Israeli soldier was photographed chopping off the head of Jesus in a crucifix, is in the process of being resolved.
The IDF and Israeli leaders immediately expressed their shock, condemned the action, and said they would investigate. It was decided that the soldier would be removed from active duty and put in military detention for 30 days. The others who photographed and watched while it happened will be “summoned for clarification discussions” later, the IDF said.
Residents of the town of Debel expressed appreciation for the widespread support they received. They said the IDF replaced the cross following the incident. Later, a new cross was sent from Italy via UNIFIL and installed at a ceremony attended by Archbishop Paolo Borgia and Church representatives.
The disturbing photo, which appeared this past week, shows an Israeli Defense Forces soldier smashing the head of a Jesus statue. The photo went viral.
Israel issued a statement through the military saying, "The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops."
The incident was investigated by the Northern Command.
The IDF added that it "is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols."
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar decried the incident, labeling it “grave and disgraceful,” and extended an apology to Christians who felt hurt by the incident.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a Monday post on X, stated that he was "stunned and saddened" to learn of the incident.
Investigative Journalist David Bedein, in a phone discussion with CBN News, raised the question of whether Israeli intelligence should examine the possibility that the mutilated Jesus statue was the product of a carefully planned provocation. He believes that the method of relaying the story to the media was professionally done.
"This is not just a happenstance issue," Bedein said, adding that Israel's enemies "have been using provocations all along, and this is the latest."
Israel is one of the only countries in the Middle East that guarantees freedom of religion for many faiths.
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