…gets 30-day restraint
An Israeli soldier has sparked global outrage after destroying a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon, an act that has drawn sharp condemnation from Christian communities worldwide, including in Malawi.
The image, which circulated widely on social media, shows the soldier striking the head of a crucified Jesus statue in Debl, a Christian village near the Israeli border. The Israel, through the Military, later confirmed the photograph was authentic, although the identity of the soldier was not made public.
Israel is not a Christian country. About 75 percent of its population practises Judaism, followed by around 20 percent Muslims, while Christians make up less than two percent. In Judaism, Jesus is not recognised as a prophet, a messenger or the son of God, unlike in Islam where he is regarded as a prophet.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded by placing the soldier under a 30-day restraint, a decision that has been widely criticised as too lenient given the sensitivity of the act which came soon after Easter. Critics argue that the punishment falls short, pointing out that the intentional destruction of religious symbols and sites is prohibited under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.
In Malawi, where Christianity is central to daily life and community structures, the viral image has also been strongly condemned. However, some commentators have raised questions about what they describe as selective outrage, comparing the reaction to the statue incident with reports of alleged abuses by Israeli forces in Gaza.
“I don’t know if you have followed this story. An Israeli soldier was pictured smashing this statue of Jesus in Lebanon. Koma ndiye it has generated a lot of criticism, maybe rightly so. But I have seen many other videos of abuse being committed by Israeli soldiers against vulnerable people that barely get as much traction,” wrote one of Malawi’s renowned lawyers, Khumbo Bonzoe Soko.
“There have been videos of children being tortured or those who have been tortured. Videos of the levelled Gaza and the untold suffering of Palestinians. In short, videos that clearly show the rogue and criminal behaviour of some members of the IDF. Videos that should truly cause moral indignation but are routinely ignored.
“And yet here, people appear more upset that cowumba ca Yesu aciswa. Even Jesus himself would find this reaction hilariously sad,” he added.
The soldier has since been handed a 30-day restraint by the IDF as Israel continues to face accusations of genocide in Gaza and reports of humanitarian abuses in Lebanon, where heavy bombardment has been ongoing.
