Multiple Israeli leaders denounced an authenticated photo of an Israel Defense Forces soldier striking a Jesus statue in Lebanon with what appeared to be a sledgehammer.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed the offender will be held accountable on Monday.
“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,” he posted on X. “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.”
The IDF verified the authenticity of the photo, depicting Jesus torn down from a cross, after a spokesperson said an investigation into the incident was underway on Sunday.
The IDF is currently examining the reliability of the photograph.
If this is indeed a real, recent picture, these actions do not align with the
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