Netanyahu condemns ‘in strongest terms’ IDF damage to Jesus statue in Lebanon

Images started circling online over the weekend

This comes after a picture emerged over the weekend of an IDF soldier appearing to use a sledgehammer to desecrate a statue of Jesus.

As per Sky News, the image appears to have been taken in Debel, a village in Lebanon, where the IDF have been operating in conflict with Hezbollah.

Netanyahu said on X: "As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths. All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region.

"Yesterday, like the overwhelming majority of Israelis, I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon.

"I condemn the act in the strongest terms. Military authorities are conducting a criminal probe of the matter and will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender.

"While Christians are being slaughtered in Syria and Lebanon by Muslims, the Christian population in Israel thrives unlike elsewhere in the Middle East. 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. We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world."