The Israeli military is investigating a soldier photographed placing a cigarette on a Virgin Mary statue in occupied southern Lebanon, drawing sharp condemnation from the Roman Catholic Church.
The Israeli military has opened an investigation after a soldier was photographed placing a cigarette on the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in the Christian village of Debel, in occupied southern Lebanon.
An IDF spokesperson said the conduct “completely deviates from the values expected of its personnel” and that command measures would follow.
The Roman Catholic Church’s representative in the Holy Land condemned the act, stating: “This is disrespectful and outrageous behaviour that must stop immediately. We call on the Israeli government and the IDF to act and send a clear message that such behaviour is unacceptable.”
The incident follows a similar case last month in which soldiers were jailed for 30 days after one was photographed hitting a Jesus statue with a sledgehammer.
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