Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslav Sikorski has commented on the destruction of a statue of Jesus Christ by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon, describing the actions of the military as self-admitted war crimes.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing foreign media, that Sikorski highlighted the gravity of the situation. "Israeli soldiers are themselves admitting to war crimes. They have killed not only Palestinian civilians but even their own hostages," the minister stated. He welcomed the apology issued by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, noting that the incident was indeed a situation requiring a formal apology.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the authenticity of a photograph showing a soldier breaking a statue of Jesus in the village of Deir Seryan, which is currently under their control in southern Lebanon. The IDF announced that measures would be taken against those involved. Foreign Minister Saar described the attack on the Christian religious symbol as "serious and shameful," stating on the X platform: "We apologize for this incident and bow before all Christians whose feelings were hurt." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his regret and condemned the act via his official social media account.
The incident occurs amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing military operations in both Gaza and southern Lebanon. International observers and human rights organizations have frequently raised concerns regarding the protection of cultural and religious heritage sites during armed conflicts. The swift apology from the Israeli leadership reflects an effort to mitigate diplomatic fallout, particularly with Christian communities globally and within the region, as the conflict continues to draw intense international scrutiny regarding the conduct of forces on the ground.
