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Israeli Soldier Places Cigarette on Virgin Mary Statue, Disciplined

5/8/2026

45 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

An Israeli soldier put a cigarette in the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in Debel, Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the weeks-old image, said the soldier will face disciplinary action, and asserted that the conduct breaches army values, respects all religious sites, and will trigger command measures.
In April, two IDF soldiers who smashed a Jesus statue in Debel were removed from combat and sentenced to 30 days detention.

History

Historical Context

Bagram, built by Soviets in the 1950s, became the U.S. hub after the 2001 invasion and held over 7,000 troops by mid-2002. In 2005 U.S. soldiers burned Qurans there, prompting protests that killed at least 30 civilians and led President Hamid Karzai to demand an apology and $2 million. The Israeli soldier’s desecration of a Virgin Mary statue in Debel echoes earlier disrespect of sacred icons.

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Story summary

An Israeli soldier put a cigarette in the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in Debel, Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed the weeks-old image, said the soldier will face disciplinary action, and asserted that the conduct breaches army values, respects all religious sites, and will trigger command measures.
In April, two IDF soldiers who smashed a Jesus statue in Debel were removed from combat and sentenced to 30 days detention.

1 / 2