The IDF is investigating a video published on Wednesday by Lebanese media showing an Israeli soldier smoking a cigarette while placing another in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Lebanese reports accused the soldier of desecrating the statue. The IDF said it was reviewing the incident.
The video surfaced less than a month after another IDF soldier was filmed smashing a statue of Jesus in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon.
The IDF later confirmed that video was authentic and called the incident serious. The soldier who smashed the statue and the soldier who filmed him were removed from combat roles and sentenced to 30 days in military prison. Six other soldiers who failed to prevent or report the incident were summoned for disciplinary talks.
The earlier incident caused significant international damage to Israel and fueled claims that Israel harms Christians and their religious freedom.
An IDF investigation found the soldiers’ conduct was a severe violation of military orders and army values. The army later placed a new statue at the site in coordination with local residents.
The IDF said at the time that rules on conduct around religious institutions and symbols had been clarified to troops and would be reinforced again. The findings were presented to IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo.
Zamir condemned the incident, calling it improper conduct and a moral failure that was entirely inconsistent with IDF values and the behavior expected of its soldiers.
The Catholic Church also condemned the earlier video. Frid Jubran, spokesman for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, told ynet that, as a Christian, the footage was “sad,” “outrageous” and “very upsetting,” saying it showed deep contempt and humiliation.