April 20, 2026, at 09:00 GMT
Reports of a viral image of an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon has sparked outrage across the United States, particularly among conservative Christian circles and former allies of President Donald Trump. The desecration, captured in a widely circulated photo, was denounced as a grave insult to Christian faith and added to the growing list of alleged atrocities committed by Israeli forces in the region. The backlash has been notable within Trump’s base, where evangelical and conservative groups expressed anger at Israel’s actions, marking a rare fracture in traditional U.S. support for the Israeli government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by saying he was “stunned and saddened” by the soldier’s conduct, promising disciplinary action while attempting to contain the diplomatic fallout. The incident comes amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon, where a fragile ceasefire had only recently taken hold, and has further complicated Israel’s efforts to maintain international legitimacy. Analysts warn that the desecration risks deepening divisions between Washington and Jerusalem, particularly as U.S. conservatives reassess their support in light of religious sensitivities.
( Source – Al Jazeera)
—Owned Source
Leave a Reply