Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is vowing “harsh disciplinary action” against the IDF soldier who was caught on camera bashing the head of a Jesus statue in Lebanon with a sledgehammer.
“I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon,” Netanyahu said Monday.
“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.”
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…
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) April 20, 2026
Netanyahu continued: “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.”
Mel, the co-host of the Previously Prohibited podcast, was not thrilled with Netanyahu’s description of the Jesus statue a “Catholic religious icon,” saying: “He took a sledgehammer to a statue of Christ on the cross. Stop trying to downplay it as if it wasn’t a direct attack on Christianity itself. We all see what you’re doing here trying to make this a ‘Catholic’ thing. You are such filth.”
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee noted: “Swift, severe, & public consequences are needed.”
Glad that @gidonsaar @IsraelMFA has 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. https://t.co/uU1H35CUK3
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) April 20, 2026
Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign minister, blasted the soldier’s actions as “grave and disgraceful.”
“This shameful action is completely contrary to our values,” Saar said. “Israel is a country that respects the different religions and their sacred symbols, and upholds tolerance and respect among faiths. We apologize for this incident and to every Christian whose feelings were hurt.”
The sculpture was located in the southern Lebanon village of Debel, as Israel has been engaged in a military campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah.
The IDF released its own statement, indicating: “Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon. 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. Furthermore, the IDF is working to assist the community in restoring the statue to its place.
“The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols.”
Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon.
The IDF views the incident with great… https://t.co/U6P3x8KWBb
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 19, 2026
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