The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said on Monday that a soldier who smashed a statue of Jesus Christ in a southern Lebanese town will not face a criminal investigation, and will instead be dealt with “disciplinarily only”.
Footage released on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier using a pickaxe to destroy a statue of Christ in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon, sparking widespread anger locally and internationally, with religious and political condemnation of what was seen as an attack on a religious symbol.
On Monday, Catholic church leaders in Jerusalem condemned the incident, describing it as “a serious violation of religious symbols and human dignity”, and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
In a statement received by Anadolu Agency, the church leaders strongly denounced “the desecration of a statue of the crucified Christ by an Israeli soldier in a Lebanese village”, expressing “deep condemnation of this regrettable act”.
They said the incident “does not only offend the feelings of Christians, but also constitutes a grave violation of the sanctity of religious symbols and human dignity”, adding that it comes amid a series of concerning incidents targeting Christian symbols in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli broadcaster said the soldier had been identified following information provided by members of his unit.
It added that the soldier, a regular service combatant, had been summoned, and that the commander of the 162nd Division is personally handling the case.
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