An Israeli soldier put a cigarette into the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary. There is a reaction from the army
The Israeli army said in response to media questions that it “takes the incident seriously” and emphasized that the soldier's behavior “deviates from the values expected of soldiers.”
According to preliminary findings submitted, among others, by Israeli public broadcaster Kan, the photo was taken a few weeks ago in the town of Debl, a few kilometers from the border with Israel, although it has only now been published.
Another scandal involving an Israeli soldier. One of them destroyed the statue of Jesus
In the same village inhabited by Maronite Christians, at the end of April, another Israeli soldier destroyed a statue of Jesus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later condemned the incident, and Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called it shameful and apologized to everyone, especially Christians, for it.
The soldier who destroyed the statue was removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in prison. The military officer who photographed the incident received the same punishment.
After a wave of international outrage and criticism from Christian circles, on April 23, Israel announced the appointment of a special envoy for relations with the Christian world.
In early March, Hezbollah joined the US and Israel's war against Iran, siding with Tehran. Israel then launched an intensive operation against the group, which is outside the control of the Lebanese government and is supported and financed by Iran.
In the south of Lebanon, Israel has designated the so-called yellow line, covering the area occupied by Israeli forces from the border to the Litani River.
More than 2,700 people have died in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since March 2. people. The Israeli army said 17 soldiers and one civilian working for the army were also killed in the fighting.
