Israel's military investigates soldier over Virgin Mary statue desecration
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 7
Israel's military investigates soldier over Virgin Mary statue desecration
7 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 7
The image, shared on Wednesday, was taken weeks earlier in Debel, a Christian-majority village in southern Lebanon, and showed the soldier putting a cigarette in the statue's mouth.
The military said it viewed the incident gravely and would act, after a similar case last month in Debel led to two soldiers being removed from combat duty and jailed for 30 days.
The case comes amid intensified Israeli attacks and occupation in southern Lebanon, where residents and officials say homes, infrastructure and religious sites have been damaged or destroyed.
Is the demolition of Lebanese villages part of a deliberate Israeli strategy of displacement?
Are Israel's apologies for religious desecrations a genuine policy shift or simply crisis management?
Desecration of Christian Statue by IDF Soldier in Debel Sparks Global Outrage and Military Accountability in 2026
Overview
In early 2026, an Israeli soldier desecrated a statue of Jesus Christ in the Christian village of Debel, Lebanon, an act captured in viral images that sparked global outrage and swift condemnation from Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu. The Israeli military confirmed the incident, launched a criminal investigation, and sentenced involved soldiers while working to restore the statue. This event occurred amid intense Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon and was influenced by systemic challenges within the IDF, such as manpower shortages and societal divisions. The incident exposed deeper issues of religious intolerance and heightened tensions for Debel’s vulnerable Christian community facing isolation and conflict-driven hardships.