Israeli soldier accused of vandalizing Lebanese Virgin Mary statue

Investigation Launched After Photo Circulates of Israeli Soldier Desecrating Statue in Lebanon

A photo has circulated online showing an Israeli soldier placing a cigarette into the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military has launched an investigation into the incident, which it described as “grave.” According to reports, the photo was taken several weeks ago in the Christian-majority village of Debel and only shared online on Wednesday.

The incident is part of a series of incidents involving Israeli soldiers desecrating religious sites and destroying or looting property in southern Lebanon. Last month, another soldier was photographed damaging a statue of Jesus in the same village. Additionally, Israeli troops have been accused of bulldozing solar panels that supply electricity to Debel’s water system, destroying homes, roads, and olive trees.

The incidents come as Israeli forces continue to occupy large areas of southern Lebanon and demolish entire villages. Lebanese officials and residents are concerned about the scale of destruction, which has left many displaced people without a place to return to.

Separately, there have been reports of harassment and violence against Christian pilgrims, clergy, and Palestinian Christian residents in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Video footage showed an assault on a French nun near Jerusalem’s Old City last month, where a man was arrested after following her, pushing her to the ground, and kicking her.

The Israeli military has previously disciplined soldiers involved in similar incidents, including removing them from combat duty and sentencing them to jail time. The investigation into the Debel incident is ongoing.

Source: Al Jazeera