This post is republished with permission fromRemix News

After an image of an Israeli soldier striking a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in Lebanon went viral, the Israeli foreign minister has confirmed the image is real and also apologized. However, the attack on the Christian statue has morphed into an international incident, with Poland’s foreign minister wading into the debate, sparking a sharp back-and-forth war of words on X.

After images of the incident went viral, Israel responded. Calling the damage caused by an IDF soldier to the statue in Lebanon “grave and disgraceful,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar added that the “ugly act” was “contrary to our values” and that the soldier responsible would face consequences.

Photo currently circulating on social media which appears to show a soldier with the Israel Defense Force striking and destroying a statue of Jesus Christ on the cross using a sledgehammer during recent operations in the Christian town of Debel in Southern Lebanon.pic.twitter.com/Gz05heyIy4

“Israel is a country that respects the different religions and their sacred symbols, and upholds tolerance and respect among faiths. We apologize for this incident and to every Christian whose feelings were hurt,” heposted.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski was not satisfied. “It’s good that Minister Sa’ar apologized quickly; there was something to apologize for. That soldier should be punished, but lessons should also be drawn regarding the way they are being trained. IDF soldiers themselves admit to war crimes. They killed not only civilian Palestinians but even their own hostages,” he posted on X.

Sikorski is referring to the three Israeli hostages being held in Gaza who were killed by IDF soldiery by mistake back in 2023, despite the man having hung white flags and a message for help. The Israeli military later admitted the killings were due to the soldiers having broken “rules of engagement” in firing on those who were unarmed and surrendered.

Sikorski’s comments led to respond, writing: “I strongly reject your unfounded, and defamatory statements against the IDF.”In his post, he stated that Israel is a professional and ethical army and no army does not more to minimize civilian casualties. He added that “I suggest that instead of preaching morality to others, you personally condemn the disgraceful antisemitic display we saw in the Polish parliament last week,” referring to a Polish politician unfurling an Israeli flag with a swastika in the middle of it.

I strongly reject your unfounded, and defamatory statements against the IDF.What you wrote reflects ignorance and a deep lack of understanding.In every war, there are operational accidents, including cases where a military force is harmed by its own fire. Unfortunately, in…https://t.co/nVK6hxkW5f

Sikorskithen responded: “I condemned the antisemitic incident by a far-right member of our parliament the day it happened. He has been disciplined by the Speaker. As for the rest, if this doesn’t move you to make changes to your soldiers’ training, I cannot help you.”

Source: modernity