April 21, 2026 | 11:16 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Poland and Israel were at odds on Monday after photos circulated online showing an Israeli soldier striking the head of a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in Lebanon. Poland is one of the European countries with a majority Catholic population.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski of making "irresponsible statements" in the dispute over the destruction of the Christian symbol in Lebanon.
Sa'ar apologized "to every Christian" on Monday after the photo was revealed, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "stunned and saddened" by the incident.
However, despite the apology, Sikorski wrote on X that the soldier in question should be "punished," and "lessons should be drawn" about soldier training.
“IDF soldiers themselves admit to war crimes. They killed not only civilian Palestinians but even their own hostages,” the Polish center-right politician continued, as reported by Politico.
Sikorski's criticism adds new fuel to the ongoing dispute between the two countries.
“What you wrote reflects ignorance and a deep lack of understanding," Sa'ar responded on X on Monday. Claiming that the IDF is a "professional and ethical army," the minister said that no Western military fights "terrorism" more precisely than the Israeli military.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed that they had completed an initial investigation into the incident and that "appropriate measures" would be taken against "those involved," adding that the statue would be returned to its original location.
Jerusalem Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa also condemned the incident as a "grave affront to Christian faith" and called for "disciplinary actions" against the perpetrator.
This dispute comes as tensions between Israel and the European Union continue to escalate, even from Israel's traditional allies in Europe. They are now openly expressing criticism of Israel's treatment of Palestine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he was "deeply concerned about developments in the Palestinian territories" following reports from human rights organizations about increased violence against civilians by illegal Jewish settlers in the West Bank.
Meanwhile, Italy suspended a defense and technology agreement with Israel last week "in consideration of the current situation" in the Middle East.
The anger of the majority Catholic countries in Europe also comes just a week before Easter. This happened when Israel banned Jerusalem Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from holding a mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.
Read: Israeli Soldier Probed After Damaging Jesus Statue in Lebanon
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Kanye West Concert Canceled in Poland
2 hari lalu
Poland urged organizers to deny space to "criminal ideology" promoters. Kanye West later apologized for pro-Nazi remarks, citing bipolar disorder.
Same-Sex Marriage Must Be Recognized Across EU, Court Rules
25 November 2025
European Union countries must recognize the lawful same-sex marriages of EU citizens conducted in other member states, the bloc's top court has ruled.
Why Krakow is Europe's Best Anti-Stress Holiday City
19 November 2025
Krakow, the historic city in Poland, offers an ideal mix of comfort and affordability without the usual chaos associated with international travel.
Poland to Offer Military Training to All Its Citizens
7 November 2025
The pilot program aims to train 400,000 people in 2026. The defense minister of Poland says it's needed due to threat from Russia, who invaded Ukraine
Wave of Anti-Immigrant Sentiments Loom over Europe
23 September 2025
Not only in the UK and Australia, anti-immigrant demonstrations also erupt in several European countries.
Indonesian Climbers Clinch Two Golds for Speed Climbing at Krakow Finals
7 Juli 2025
Raharjati Nursamsa and Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi, Indonesian climbers, clinch gold medals for speed climbing.
Poland and Canada Sign Nuclear Power Cooperation Agreement
28 Januari 2025
Poland and Canada have signed an agreement that provides a legal framework for more intensive cooperation on nuclear power.
10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe 2024: Family Hotspots
3 Desember 2024
With carols playing in the background, families gather to find the best Christmas markets in Europe in 2024. Enrich your itinerary here.
Central Europe Races Against Time as Flood Zones Move
18 September 2024
The worst floods to hit central Europe in at least two decades have left a trail of destruction from Romania to Poland.
Deadly Floods in Central Europe Swirl Towards Poland's Historic Wroclaw
17 September 2024
The death toll in three days of devastating floods across central Europe rose to 21.
