Palestinian pastor urges focus on civilian deaths in Gaza and Lebanon after Jesus statue smashed by Israeli soldier
Isaac says outrage should focus on the war and attacks on civilians in Gaza, not only destruction of religious symbol
RAMALLAH, Palestine (MNTV) – A prominent Palestinian Christian pastor has urged people outraged by an Israeli soldier’s destruction of a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon to direct their anger toward the broader devastation of civilian life in Gaza and Lebanon rather than focusing solely on the desecration of a religious symbol.
Munther Isaac, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Ramallah, said in a post on X that while the destruction of the statue was “abhorrent,” it should not overshadow the deeper crisis.
“The real outrage is the targeting of civilians, the assault on human dignity, the devastation in Gaza and Lebanon. War is evil. We need accountability,” he wrote.
The remarks came after footage circulated Sunday showing an Israeli soldier using a hammer to smash a statue of Jesus in the southern Lebanese town of Dibel, triggering widespread condemnation from religious and political figures.
Catholic church leaders in Jerusalem condemned the act as a serious violation of Christian religious values and demanded accountability.
The Israeli army said it viewed the incident with “utmost seriousness” and that the soldier’s conduct contradicts the values expected of its troops, but Israel’s public broadcaster reported the soldier would not face criminal investigation and would instead be subject to disciplinary measures.
Israel has been conducting a military offensive in Lebanon since March 2, killing 2,294 people, injuring 7,544 and displacing more than one million, according to official figures.
A 10-day ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump took effect Thursday evening but has since seen reported violations.
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