All articles tagged with #desecration
Two Israeli soldiers were sentenced to military prison after one placed a cigarette in the Virgin Mary statue’s mouth in southern Lebanon and the other photographed the act; sentences were 21 days and 14 days, respectively, in a case that drew international condemnation amid ongoing Israel–Hezbollah clashes.
Two Israeli soldiers were sentenced to prison for the desecration of a Christian statue in Lebanon, AP News reports.
Israel's military said it will investigate after a photo circulated showing a soldier placing a cigarette in the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in southern Lebanon; the incident follows a separate statue-damage case, and the army stressed its respect for religious symbols and said it will take command measures based on the findings.
The Israeli military is investigating a soldier photographed in Debel, southern Lebanon, smoking and placing a cigarette on the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue; a similar incident saw another soldier strike a Jesus statue with a sledgehammer. The two involved were given 30 days in military prison after international condemnation. The IDF condemned the act as a serious deviation from its values and said disciplinary measures would follow the investigation, as clashes with Hezbollah continue and casualties rise on both sides, drawing condemnation from the Catholic Church.
An Israeli soldier who struck a Jesus statue in southern Lebanon with a sledgehammer was jailed for 30 days, with the filmer also jailed and six others summoned. The rare decisive action contrasts with Israel’s usual military investigations and has intensified scrutiny of how Israel protects Christian symbols and Christians in occupied territories, even as some Christian Zionist support remains influential in the U.S. A 2025 report cites 155 incidents targeting Christians in Israel, underscoring rising religious tensions that complicate Israel’s Judeo-Christian narrative.
Two Israeli soldiers were removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in military prison after one used a sledgehammer to smash a statue of Jesus in a Christian village in southern Lebanon and the other filmed the act. The IDF said their conduct deviated from orders and values, and a replacement crucifix was installed in coordination with the local community. The incident drew widespread condemnation from Lebanese authorities, Christian leaders, and political figures, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, highlighting sensitivities around religious symbols amid the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
A man was arrested in Paris for lighting a cigarette from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier's flame at the Arc de Triomphe, an act condemned as indecent and disrespectful to France's fallen soldiers and national memory.
Israeli troops sparked outrage after invading a mosque in the Jenin refugee camp, singing Hebrew songs on loudspeakers, and filming themselves inside. The incident has gone viral, prompting widespread anger online. The soldiers involved have been suspended by the Israel Defence Forces.
Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef expressed his concern over images and videos showing Israeli soldiers disrespecting and desecrating mosques and religious sites during the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank. He wrote a letter to the IDF Chief Rabbi, emphasizing that such actions cause damage to the people of Israel and its global image. Rabbi Yosef called for soldiers to be educated about the importance of respecting the feelings of members of other religions.
Faith leaders, city officials, and state lawmakers in New Haven, Connecticut, have condemned the desecration of a Hanukkah menorah on the New Haven Green. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, has been described as deeply painful and evoking years of trauma for the Jewish community. Mayor Justin Elicker and U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined Jewish leaders in denouncing hate and antisemitism, calling on the community to speak up against such acts. Yale University also issued a statement condemning the incident and has asked the police to investigate. The New Haven Jewish community had recently celebrated the start of Hanukkah with a public menorah lighting festival.
Two Hindu temples, including one over 150 years old, were desecrated in Pakistan's Sindh province. In Karachi, the old Mari Mata Temple was demolished, allegedly with police cover, leaving only the outer walls intact. In Kashmore, a gang of dacoits attacked a Hindu temple and nearby homes with rocket launchers, but no casualties were reported. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed concern over deteriorating law and order in the region and called for an investigation into the incidents.
Kuwait has announced plans to print and distribute 100,000 copies of the Holy Quran translated into Swedish, aiming to promote Islamic principles and values of tolerance. This decision comes in response to concerns over the desecration of the Quran in some European countries, including recent incidents in Sweden and Germany. The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted on a draft resolution condemning the desecration of the Quran, with some Western countries voting against it.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for nationwide protests in Pakistan on Friday to uphold the sanctity of the Holy Quran and demonstrate against the recent incident of its desecration in Sweden. The act of tearing up and burning a copy of the Holy Quran outside Stockholm's central mosque has drawn strong criticism from several countries. The prime minister has also decided to summon a joint session of Parliament to devise a national plan of action on the Sweden incident. The UN Human Rights Council will hold an urgent debate on the desecration following a request from Pakistan.
A man stripped naked and jumped on the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica with the words "Save children of Ukraina" written on his back. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti performed a penitential rite to restore the altar. The man was handed over to Italian police and issued an expulsion order requiring him to leave Italy. This incident is the latest in a series of disturbances at the Vatican in recent months.
A man stripped naked and jumped on the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica with the words "Save children of Ukraina" written on his back. The head of the basilica, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, performed a penitential rite to restore the altar. The man was handed over to Italian police and issued an expulsion order. This is the latest incident of disturbances at the Vatican in recent months.