Condemns Israeli Army for Damaging Jesus Statue in Lebanon, Netanyahu Promises Firm Action

JAKARTA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday condemned an incident in which an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier damaged a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, stressing that the action was contrary to Israeli values and would be investigated.

In a statement posted on social media X Netanyahu said he was "shocked and saddened" by the incident, which he condemned "in the strongest terms."

"Yesterday, like the vast majority of Israelis, I was shocked and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon. I condemn this action with the utmost severity," Netanyahu said, launching Al Arabiya (20/4).

He added that military authorities were conducting a criminal investigation and would take "firm disciplinary action" against those responsible.

Previously, an image of an Israeli soldier hitting a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon circulated widely on social media.

The image appears to show an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to hit the head of a statue of Jesus.

"As a Jewish state, Israel appreciates and upholds Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and adherents of all religions," Netanyahu said.

"All religions thrive on our land and we regard members of all religions as equal in building our society and region," he said.

Netanyau expressed regret over the incident, saying Israel apologized "for any harm caused to the faithful in Lebanon and around the world."

Separately, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the action as "serious and shameful," welcoming the Israeli army's action in condemning the incident and launching an investigation.

"The destruction of a Christian religious symbol by an IDF soldier in southern Lebanon is serious and shameful," Saar said.

"This shameful action is completely contrary to our values," he continued.

"I am confident that the necessary decisive action will be taken against anyone who commits this bad act," he said.

Quoted from The National, the Israeli military admitted that the picture of one of its soldiers destroying a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, was real.

"After the completion of the initial examination regarding the previously published photo today of a soldier (Israeli) who damaged a Christian symbol, it was confirmed that the photo depicts a soldier operating in southern Lebanon," the Israeli military said in a statement Sunday night.

The Israeli military said in a post on its official X account on Monday that it took the incident "very seriously," adding that "the soldier's behavior is completely inconsistent with the values expected of his troops."

"This case is being investigated by the Northern Command and the appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," the military said.

The statement comes amid continued tensions along Israel's northern front, where incidents in southern Lebanon continue to draw attention.

It is known that Israeli forces have repeatedly attacked religious sites, including mosques and churches, as well as religious figures, in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Israel also routinely prohibits worshipers from entering holy sites, most recently closing the Al Aqsa Mosque and preventing the celebration of Easter from taking place in Jerusalem.

The Israeli military launched an attack on Lebanon on March 2, after Iran-backed Hezbollah resumed attacks on Israel in support of Tehran. This rekindled the conflict between the two sides only 15 months after their last major war.

Israel and Lebanon announced a 10-day ceasefire last week, following a US ceasefire with Iran.

The fighting has killed more than 2,000 people in Lebanon and displaced some 1.2 million, according to Lebanese authorities.

Meanwhile, attacks by Hezbollah have killed two Israeli civilians, while 13 Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon since March 2, according to Israeli data.