Tel Aviv [Israel], April 20 (ANI): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday condemned in the 'strongest terms' the incident where an IDF soldier allegedly 'damaged' a Catholic icon in Southern Lebanon.

In a post on X, Netanyahu said, 'As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths. All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region.

He further assured that military authorities are taking strict action against the offender.

'Yesterday, like the overwhelming majority of Israelis, I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon. I condemn the act in the strongest terms. Military authorities are conducting a criminal probe of the matter and will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender'.

Netanyahu further claimed that, unlike other countries in the Middle East, Israel is the only place which abides by the 'freedom of worship for all'.

https://x.com/netanyahu/status/2046166181258650016?s=20

'While Christians are being slaughtered in Syria and Lebanon by Muslims, the Christian population in Israel thrives unlike elsewhere in the Middle East. Israel is the only country in the region that the Christian population and standard of living is growing. Israel is the only place in the Middle East that adheres to freedom of worship for all. We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world,' he added.

Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Monday strongly condemned an incident in which a 'Christian religious symbol' was allegedly damaged by an IDF soldier in southern Lebanon, calling the act 'grave and disgraceful.'

According to CNN, the Israeli military had launched an investigation after a photograph circulating on social media showed an Israeli soldier allegedly damaging a statue of a crucified Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon.

In a post on X, Sa'ar said the action was 'completely contrary to our values' and emphasised that Israel respects all religions and their sacred symbols and commended the IDF for its statement condemning the incident and also investigating the matter.

According to CNN, the image, taken in the predominantly Christian village of Debel, showed the figure of Christ leaning against the cross, appearing upside down and removed from it. The photo, posted on Sunday, appeared to show an Israeli soldier striking the head of the statue of Christ on the cross with a hammer or an axe. (ANI)