Israel broadcaster: No criminal probe into soldier who smashed Christ statue in Lebanon

The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation said on Monday that a soldier who smashed a statue of Jesus Christ in a southern Lebanese town will not face a criminal investigation, and will instead be dealt with “disciplinarily only”. Footage released on Sunday showed an Israeli soldier using a pickaxe to destroy a statue of Christ in the town of Debel in southern Lebanon, sparking widespread anger locally and internationally, with religious and political condemnation of what was seen as an attack on a religious symbol. On Monday, Catholic church leaders in Jerusalem condemned the incident, describing it as “a serious violation of religious symbols and human dignity”, and called for those responsible to be held accountable. In a statement received by […]