Shock and Outrage as Israeli Soldier Destroys Jesus Statue in Lebanon

Tue Apr 21 2026 09:51:58 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A video showing an Israeli soldier damaging a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon has sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for accountability from both Israeli and international leaders.

An Israeli soldier has been filmed vandalizing a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, leading to outrage from various communities and officials. The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, showcases the soldier hitting the statue with a sledgehammer. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his dismay over the incident, and the military has promised to take disciplinary measures while working with the local Christian community to restore the statue. The attack comes amidst ongoing tensions in the region, sparking criticisms and discussions around Israel's treatment of religious symbols.

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, emphasizing 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.

The attack on the statue prompted the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, to call for swift, severe, & public consequences. Right-wing US commentators also condemned the incident, with former US congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene criticizing Israel's actions. Recent polls indicate a declining support for Israel in the US, with 60% of adults expressing an unfavorable view.

Benjamin Netanyahu's post about the Jesus statue was written in English. He stated that Israel is the only country in the region that the Christian population and standard of living is growing and emphasized Israel's commitment to freedom of worship.

As Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in the wake of the ongoing tensions, the humanitarian impact of a recent Israeli military campaign in Lebanon has become evident, with significant casualties reported on both sides.