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Incident triggers widespread condemnation
An image showing an Israeli soldier striking a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon has drawn sharp criticism worldwide after circulating on social media. The statue, located on a crucifix outside a family home in Debel, was targeted amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israeli leadership responds
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed shock and dismay over the incident, stating he was "stunned and saddened" by the act. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar issued an apology, saying, "We apologise for this incident and to every Christian whose feelings were hurt."
The Israeli military confirmed the authenticity of the image and described the soldier's actions as "wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops." The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that "appropriate measures" would be taken against those involved and are collaborating with the Christian community to "restore the statue to its place."
Local and religious reactions
Father Fadi Flaifel, head of Debel's congregation, condemned the act, stating, "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 alleged that similar incidents had occurred previously.
Debel, one of the few villages where residents have remained despite the conflict, has become a focal point of the controversy. The statue stood outside a family home on the village's outskirts.
International backlash
The incident has intensified criticism of Israel, particularly in the United States, its closest ally. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister, called for "swift, severe, and public consequences" on X (formerly Twitter).
Right-wing US commentators, including former Trump adviser Matt Gaetz and ex-congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, also condemned the act. Greene remarked, "'Our greatest ally' that takes billions of our tax dollars and weapons every year," while sharing the image.
A recent Pew Research Center survey indicated a decline in US support for Israel, with 60% of American adults holding an unfavourable view of the country, up from 53% last year.
Broader context of religious tensions
The attack on the statue follows another controversial episode last month, when Israeli police barred the top Roman Catholic leader in Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for a private Palm Sunday Mass. Police cited safety concerns amid the war with Iran, but Huckabee called the decision an "unfortunate overreach" with "major repercussions."
A 2025 report by the Jerusalem-based Rossing Center, which promotes inter-faith relations, described a "recent surge in overt animosity towards Christianity," attributing it to "a continued deepening of polarisation and ultra-nationalist political trends."
"Israel is the only country in the region that the Christian population and standard of living is growing. Israel is the only place in the Middle East that adheres to freedom of worship for all."
Benjamin Netanyahu
Conflict background
Hezbollah began launching rockets at Israel in support of Iran two days after Israel and the US declared war on Tehran in late February. Israel's military campaign, which began on 2 March, has displaced over a million Lebanese and killed more than 2,290 people, including 177 children and 100 healthcare workers, according to Lebanese authorities. Israeli officials report that 13 soldiers and two civilians have died in Hezbollah attacks during the same period.
A US-brokered ceasefire took effect on Friday, halting six weeks of fighting, though both sides have accused each other of violations. Thousands of Israeli troops remain deployed across southern Lebanon.
