Destroyed Jesus statue – two soldiers jailed

TT

Published 16.44

Two Israeli soldiers are being punished for destroying a statue of Jesus during the offensive in southern Lebanon.

Both are being removed from active duty and will spend 30 days in military prison, according to a statement from the Israeli military.

The incident took place in the Christian village of Debel. One soldier smashed the statue with a sledgehammer, while another was taking photos. Six more soldiers were on site without intervening and will later be called for “clarification discussions,” according to the statement.

The action deviates from the army’s “orders and values.”

In the statement, the military regrets the incident and “emphasizes that the operation in Lebanon is solely directed against the terrorist organization Hezbollah” and not “Lebanese civilians.”