Israel’s already strained relationship with Catholic and Orthodox Christian communities came under renewed pressure over the weekend after an image circulated online showing an IDF soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon.

Following widespread condemnation, the Israeli military confirmed the image’s authenticity and said it would launch a swift investigation and take disciplinary action against those involved.

"The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops. The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being addressed through the chain of command. Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings,” the military said.

The photograph of the incident was reportedly taken in the village of Debel, located about 6 kilometers (about 3.5 miles) northwest and roughly 5 kilometers (3 miles) northeast of the Israeli border community of Shtula. The IDF has said it will assist residents in replacing the statue and restoring the site.

On Monday morning, Gideon Sa’ar posted on X apologizing to the Christian community for the incident, stating that “This shameful action is completely contrary to our values,” and said he was confident that the IDF will take “necessary strict measures” against the soldier seen in the photograph, as well as others who may have been involved, including the individual who took the image.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee praised Israel's response after strongly criticizing the incident on X, saying he was "glad" that Sa'ar and the Foreign Ministry had taken "a strong stand to condemn this outrageous act by an IDF soldier — it doesn't properly represent the IDF, Israel, or the Israeli gov't. Swift, severe, & public consequences are needed."

The leaders of Lebanon’s Maronite Catholic community have spoken out strongly in condemnation of the incident, saying that they’re suffering greatly from the war and blaming both Israel and the Hezbollah terror group.

Israel’s Christian community has reacted less sharply, though some clergy who previously encouraged young people to volunteer for IDF service allegedly say they may reconsider that stance.

The IDF and the government have strongly condemned the incident and promised an investigation and disciplinary action, a response that may help ease tensions in the short term. However, some members of the Christian community say it is only the latest in a series of incidents that demonstrate the lack of respect for them inside Israel.

“I don’t blame these kids who smashed a statue and posted a picture of it to the internet,” a Catholic priest from the Franciscan Order near Jerusalem told All Israel News.

“I blame the educational system, which barely even tries to teach Jewish Israeli children about their Christian neighbors. I also blame the Rabbis who tell their followers that it’s OK to have an attitude of contempt towards Christians and the New Testament. Christian clergy in Jerusalem’s Old City get spat on by Orthodox Jewish children all the time, and there have been many other incidents of Christian cemeteries and church properties being vandalized here in Jerusalem and also up in the Galilee. It’s been going on for years, but it seems like lately it’s gotten worse.”

The priest, who asked to remain anonymous, said he arrived in Jerusalem many years ago with broadly pro-Israel views and still considers himself generally supportive. However, he added that he now better understands why some Christians around the world have become more critical of Israel.

“The Israelis don’t do themselves any favors,” he added. “They really need to stop trying so hard to be their own worst enemy.”

This article was originally published at All Israel News 

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/israel-apologizes-for-disgraceful-damage-to-jesus-statue-by-idf.html