Gagik Tsarukyan, Armenia's wealthiest businessman and opposition politician, is building the world's tallest Jesus Christ statue atop a mountain overlooking Yerevan. The 101-meter statue aims to boost tourism and promote Christianity as Armenia's brand, despite opposition from the Armenian Apostolic Church and environmentalists.
A colossal 77-meter Jesus statue, planned for Armenia, is sparking debate. Conceived by wealthy businessman Gagik Tsarukyan, it aims to be a national landmark but faces opposition from the Armenian Apostolic Church and critics questioning its cost amid national security concerns.
The Israeli military has sentenced two soldiers to 30 days military detention and removed them from combat duty for destroying a statue of a crucified Jesus in the Christian village of Debl in southern Lebanon. The incident, which drew widespread condemnation, occurred during Israel's invasion of south Lebanon following Hezbollah's entry into the war in support of Iran on March 2. The war has killed over 2,400 people and displaced more than 1 million.
The Israeli military announced that two soldiers will face 30 days of military detention and be removed from combat duty for destroying a statue of Jesus Christ in the Christian village of Debl in southern Lebanon. The incident, which showed a soldier using a sledgehammer to strike a crucifix, drew widespread condemnation. Six additional soldiers who were present but did not intervene have been summoned for clarification discussions.
Two Israeli soldiers will receive 30 days military detention for destroying a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in the village of Debel, southern Lebanon. The soldiers, who have not been named, will also be removed from combat duty following an IDF inquiry. Six other soldiers who failed to intervene will be dealt with separately. The incident occurred during Israel's ongoing occupation of southern Lebanon under a US-brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah.
Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski wrote on X that even Israeli "soldiers themselves admit to war crimes."
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the desecration of a statue of Jesus Christ that was carried out by an IDF soldier in a southern Lebanese village.
An Israeli soldier allegedly damaged a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly condemned the act. He stated that military authorities are investigating and will take disciplinary action. Israel respects all religions and their symbols. The incident has caused hurt to believers worldwide. Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar also called the act grave and disgraceful.
An Israeli soldier was filmed destroying a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer outside a family home in Debel, southern Lebanon, sparking widespread condemnation. Israel's prime minister and foreign minister expressed shock and apologized, while the IDF vowed to take measures against those involved. The incident occurred amid Israel's ongoing occupation of southern Lebanon following a US-brokered ceasefire with Hezbollah, and has drawn criticism from Christian leaders, US politicians, and comes amid declining US public support for Israel.
Israel's military has opened a Northern Command investigation after a photograph circulated online appearing to show a soldier striking a crucifix statue of Jesus Christ in the predominantly Christian village of Debl near the Israeli border in southern Lebanon. The IDF confirmed the image depicts a soldier operating in the south of the country, where Israeli troops remain deployed despite a recent ceasefire. The military stated it views the incident "with great severity" and that the conduct shown was "wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops". The local municipality condemned the act as an attack on sacred religious beliefs.
