IDF Soldier Seen Smoking Virgin Mary Statue, Sparking Lebanese Christian Outcry
TL;DR
Photos circulated showing an IDF soldier smoking with a cigarette inserted into a Virgin Mary statue in Debel, Lebanon, prompting condemnation from Lebanon’s Christian community; the IDF says the incident is under investigation and it allegedly occurred weeks ago but was only posted recently. The episode follows an April Debel incident where a soldier smashed a Jesus statue and was punished, along with other controversies in the village, fueling tensions between Israeli forces and local Christians.
- Lebanese Christians offended as IDF soldier 'smokes' with Virgin Mary statue The Jerusalem Post
- Israeli soldier desecrates statue of Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon Al Jazeera
- Soldier who put cigarette in mouth of Virgin Mary statue will be disciplined, IDF says The Times of Israel
- Lebanon Built Solar Infrastructure to Replace Its Power Grid – Israel Is Bulldozing It WIRED Middle East
- Outside the Values.. Israeli Army Investigates Soldier's Behavior in Southern Lebanon Daily Beirut
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