Two Israeli soldiers are in the process of being disciplined for damaging a Christian symbol in Lebanon, the Israeli military announced on Tuesday.
Over the weekend, the incident came to light involving a soldier who bashed a large crucifix residing in a small village with what appeared to be a sledgehammer. The sacrilegious act was photographed, sparking outrage from Christians worldwide.
The two soldiers, one who tore down the crucifix display and the other who captured the photo, are being removed from combat duty and forced to stay in military detention for 30 days. Their names were not provided.
Six more troops who stood nearby during the incident have been summoned to clarify why they did not stop or report it. Disciplinary measures against them will be determined, pending the investigation.
“The inquiry determined that the soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from [Israeli military] orders and values,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
The Israeli military expressed “deep regret” and reiterated that its operations in Lebanon are meant for Hezbollah and other terrorist groups, not Lebanese civilians.
The widely condemned act took place in Debel, a small village in southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have waged a military campaign against Hezbollah amid the broader Iran war. A local priest confirmed the crucifix was part of a small shrine in a family’s garden on the edge of the village.
“One of the Israeli soldiers broke the cross and did this horrible thing, this desecration of our holy symbols,” Father Fadi Felfle said, according to reports.
Within an hour of its initial statement on the matter, the Israeli military said the damaged statue was replaced and restored to its rightful place in the village.
The Israeli military promised to ensure that those among its ranks will not commit such an act again in the future.
“Procedures regarding conduct with religious institutions and symbols were reinforced to the troops prior to their entry into the relevant areas, and will be reinforced again for all troops in the area following the incident,” it said.
ISRAELI LEADERS DENOUNCE SOLDIER STRIKING JESUS STATUE IN LEBANON
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among the nation’s leaders who denounced the soldiers’ anti-Christian actions and assured the world that their conduct does not reflect Israel as a whole.
“Israel is the only place in the Middle East that adheres to freedom of worship for all,” Netanyahu said Monday. “We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world.”