After Jesus Statue Desecration, Another 'Blasphemy' by Israel: Cigarette Placed in Virgin Mary's Mouth

Soldier Who Damaged Jesus Statue Last Month Detained for 30 Days

Controversy Repeats in Village With Large Catholic Population

The controversy is growing after a photo of an Israeli soldier seemingly mocking a statue of the Virgin Mary in a Christian village in southern Lebanon spread online. This comes after another Israeli soldier was recently disciplined for damaging a statue of Jesus Christ in the same village last month, reigniting debate over the desecration of religious symbols.

The man in the photo is holding a statue of the Virgin Mary with one arm while smoking a cigarette, creating a scene where it appears as if the Virgin Mary is smoking. This has sparked backlash from the local Christian community. Screenshot from SNS

According to Yonhap News on May 7, a recent photo circulating on social media shows a man in an Israeli military uniform smoking a cigarette and holding it near the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue, sparking controversy. The man in the photo is holding the statue of the Virgin Mary with one arm while smoking, creating the appearance that the Virgin Mary is smoking, which has drawn backlash from the local Christian community. The photo is believed to have been taken in Debel, a village in southern Lebanon. Debel is known as a representative Christian village in southern Lebanon, with a large portion of its residents belonging to the Maronite Catholic community.

Another Incident Just Two Weeks After the Jesus Statue Was Smashed With a Hammer

CNN reported that, based on the background of the photo, the location was identified as a building in Debel. However, the exact time the photo was taken and the account that first posted it have not been confirmed. CNN explained that the military vehicles and equipment visible in the background of the photo match recent changes seen in satellite images, suggesting the photo was taken relatively recently.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), as the controversy grew, stated that they believe the photo was taken several weeks ago and that an investigation has been launched. The IDF said, "We take this matter very seriously," and added, "Command action will be taken against the soldier in question based on the results of the investigation." The IDF also stated, "We respect the religious freedom and places of worship, as well as the religious symbols, of all religions and communities."

This controversy is causing a bigger stir as it is the second blasphemy incident that occurred in Devel. Previously, on the 19th of last month, a video showing an Israeli soldier damaging a crucifix of Jesus with a hammer was shared on social media. Screenshot from SNS

This controversy is causing a greater stir as it is the second blasphemy incident to occur in Debel. Earlier, on the 19th of last month, a video showing an Israeli soldier damaging a crucifix of Jesus with a hammer was released on social media. At the time, another soldier filmed the scene, and other soldiers present reportedly did not intervene or report the incident. The Israeli military subsequently removed both the soldier who damaged the statue and the one who filmed it from combat posts and detained each of them in a military prison for 30 days. The IDF stated at the time, "The behavior of these soldiers is completely contrary to the orders and values of the military." The military also announced that additional disciplinary action was being considered for the soldiers who were present but did not intervene.

Videos of Solar Panel and Vehicle Vandalism Also Circulate

The controversy has not been limited to the desecration of religious symbols. In the Debel area, videos have also spread showing Israeli soldiers apparently damaging solar panels and vehicles. The Times of Israel reported that the controversy over the photo of the Virgin Mary statue is intertwined with other incidents of vandalism of private property—including the destruction of the Jesus statue and damage to solar panels—that appear to have been filmed or posted directly by Israeli soldiers.

Southern Lebanon is a key area of conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah. However, as incidents of desecration of religious symbols continue to be repeated in Christian villages like Debel, the issue is broadening from a matter of military discipline to a wider debate over the protection of religion and civilians.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.