In Lebanon, the destruction of a statue of Jesus by an Israeli soldier sparks outrage

Published: April 20, 2026 20:53

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On Monday, April 20, images of a statue of Jesus Christ desecrated by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon sparked a strong reaction. While Benjamin Netanyahu expressed regret, the Israeli army announced that the perpetrator of this act would be sanctioned.

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It’s the image that is causing outrage. A statue of Christ overturned, smashed with a club by an Israeli soldier. The photo is not dated, but the desecration took place in the Christian village of Debel, in southern Lebanon. On Monday, April 20, in the morning, discovering the scene, the Lebanese people in this Christian neighborhood of the capital do not hide their dismay. “I am shocked. Why this hatred and this resentment? What does Jesus have to do with all this?” laments a woman. “No one should attack the religion like this,” says a man.

While Lebanon condemns, the image of the vandalism also makes headlines in Israeli newspapers. Even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is shocked and saddened: “We express our regret for this incident and for the grief it may have caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world.”

This is not the first time that Israeli soldiers have attacked religious symbols in Lebanon, such as destroying a statue of Saint George during a previous offensive, or filming themselves in a monastery as they desecrate it. However, the Israeli army considers these acts to be isolated and condemnable. “This is behavior that goes against all laws, all guidelines within the Israeli army,” says Colonel Olivier Rafowicz, spokesperson for the Israeli army.

In southern Lebanon, where worried villages are gathered, the Israeli army is said to be committed to restoring and repairing the statue. “Tonight, the soldier who vandalized the statue of Jesus Christ has been identified. The army now promises an investigation and sanctions against the perpetrator,” specifies Arnaud Miguet, special envoy to the Middle East for France Télévisions.