(OSV News): An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to 21 days of military detention for placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, while the soldier who photographed the act received a 14-day sentence, the Israeli army said on May 11.
The incident, which occurred several weeks ago in the predominantly Christian village of Debel, was treated “with great severity,” spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Forces, Lt. Col. Ariella Mazor, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The Israeli military “respects freedom of religion and worship, as well as holy sites and religious symbols of all religions and communities,” the statement read.
Officials stated that soldiers are routinely instructed on proper conduct around religious sites before entering operational areas.
“Procedures regarding conduct around religious institutions and religious symbols are routinely reinforced to troops prior to entering the relevant areas,” Mazor said.
Such accountability is rather unusual in the Israeli army. An investigation by Action on Armed Violence found that “in 88 per cent of 52 publicly claimed Israeli military probes into alleged war crimes in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, the cases were either still under review with no public data on progress, or had been closed without any finding of wrongdoing.”
The case follows another reported act of desecration in the same village. In April, an Israeli soldier damaged a statue of Jesus on the cross. He and another soldier involved were each sentenced to 30 days of military detention after the statue of Jesus was struck with the blunt side of an axe [Sunday Examiner, April 26].
The incidents have raised concern among local Christian communities and Church leaders, who have called for greater respect for religious symbols and sites in areas affected by conflict.
Father Ibrahim Faltas, vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land, wrote in Vatican News, commenting on escalating violence towards Christians, places of worship and religious freedom in the region: “In whose name and for what motivation can sacred places be destroyed and outraged, human beings offended and humiliated, religious signs and symbols trampled upon?” he asked.
Debel, located near the Israel-Lebanon border, is home to a significant Christian population and has experienced repeated military activity amid the Israel-Hezbollah front of the broader Iran conflict.
