Israeli military investigates soldier's act against Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon

Israeli military investigates soldier's act against Virgin Mary statue in LebanonJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDavid GrittenSocial mediaThe Israeli military said the photograph was taken several weeks ago in LebanonIsrael's military has said it investigating an Israeli soldier who was photographed smoking and placing another cigarette on the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in occupied southern Lebanon.The picture was said to have been taken in the Christian village of Debel, where another soldier was photographed last month hitting a statue of Jesus in the face with a sledgehammer.An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said it viewed the incident with "utmost severity" and that the conduct of the soldier "completely deviates from the values expected of its personnel".The act was also reportedly condemned by the Roman Catholic Church's representative in the Holy Land."This is disrespectful and outrageous behaviour that must stop immediately," the Custodia Terrae Sanctae was quoted as saying by Israel's Haaretz newspaper."We call on the Israeli government and the IDF to act and send a clear message that such behaviour is unacceptable, must not happen again, and that the case be handled with the utmost seriousness."IDF spokesperson Lt Col Nadav Shoshani said the photograph was taken several weeks ago and that "command measures" would be taken against the soldier in accordance with the findings of its investigation."The IDF respects freedom of religion and worship, as well as holy sites and religious symbols of all religions and communities," he added.The soldier who hit the statue of Jesus and another who photographed the act were given 30 days in military prison following international condemnation.Israeli soldiers punished over vandalism of Jesus statue in LebanonOutrage over Israeli soldier's vandalism of Jesus statue in LebanonThousands of Israeli troops cont...