By Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko
The State of Israel is contending with several issues which includes their many wars with Iran, Hezbollah, Hamaz terrorists, problems associated with killings and violent attacks of Jews in Australia, Britain and many other places linked to what is called antisemitism.
Besides, some rogue members of the Israeli Defence Forces have been penalised by the government of Israel over their involvement in the desecration of Holy statutes and images especially those of the Blessed Mother Mary, the Blessed Mother of God who is undisputably a leading religious icon of the Roman Catholic Church with well over two billion strong membership globally. This writer is obviously a devotee of the Blessed Mother Mary.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Thursday, May 7, 2026, that they would investigate a soldier who was caught desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon. The incident was reported to have taken place in the village of Debel, southern Lebanon, a few weeks ago.
In a viral photo circulating on social media since Wednesday, a man in full Israeli military gear can be seen hugging and putting a cigarette into the mouth of the statue of the Virgin Mary. This action sparked public outrage and added to the list of controversies surrounding the Israeli forces amid their invasion of Lebanon.
When asked for confirmation, the IDF stated that they “take the event very seriously, and emphasize that their personnel’s actions are deviant behavior and will result in sanctions against the soldier,” as quoted from Al Arabiya.
The village of Debel is one of the majority Maronite Christian settlements in southern Lebanon. It is located in the Bint Jbeil District, Nabatiye Province, in a hilly area bordering Israel.
This is not the first time the Israeli military has faced criticism in recent weeks for its soldiers’ behavior towards Christian statues in southern Lebanon.
In late April, the Israeli military stated that two soldiers would face 30 days of military detention and be discharged from combat duty. This was triggered by the destruction of a statue of Jesus Christ in the village of Debel, southern Lebanon.
In that incident, a photo circulated online showing an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head of a fallen crucifix bearing the image of Jesus.
In response to the case, the IDF stated that they respect the freedom of religion, sacred places, and religious symbols of all religions and communities. They claimed that they “have no intention to damage civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols.”
Photos or videos repeatedly spread on social media showing Israeli soldiers disrespecting and damaging religious sites other than Jewish. They were even aware of recording their activities while desecrating and abusing other religious sites.
This unfortunate act of desecration of the Holy image of the Blessed Mother Mary drew a lot of harsh rebukes even from political allies of the state of Israel and friends if the Israeli prime minister Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu.
As can be noted that shortly after the circulation of the desecration photo of an Israeli soldier on social media, the photo immediately sparked outrage from various parties, including a former ally of President Donald Trump, Republican Party member of Congress, Marjorie Taylor Greene.
The former Republican Party member of Congress made sarcastic remarks on social media X.
“‘Our greatest ally’ that takes billions of our tax dollars and weapons every year,” Taylor wrote on X, citing from Middle East Eye.
Not only Taylor, another former Trump ally from the same party, Matt Gaetz, referred to the circulated photo as “horrific.”
Although the very soldier that committed this act of indecency against the religious relic of Virgin Mary was punished by the judiciary in Israel, it is worth noting that this is not an isolated case.
Israeli soldiers punished over vandalism of Jesus statue in Lebanon
The BBC reported that an Israeli soldier who hit a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in Lebanon and the soldier who photographed the incident will receive 30 days of military detention, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said.
The IDF also said the two soldiers – who have not been named – would be “removed from combat duty” following an inquiry.
Another six soldiers who were at the scene and failed to intervene or report the incident will be dealt with separately, it added.
The incident in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon prompted widespread condemnation after an image of it was widely shared online this week. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” by what happened.
In its statement on Tuesday, the IDF said an inquiry into the incident had “determined that the soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values” and expressed “deep regret over the incident”.
It also said IDF troops had replaced the damaged statue “in full co-ordination with the local community” a short while ago.
It stressed that its operations in Lebanon were directed “solely” against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah “and other terrorist groups, and not against Lebanese civilians”.
Locals had said the statue was on a crucifix outside a family home on the edge of Debel, one of the few villages where residents have remained during Israel’s war with Hezbollah.
The head of Debel’s congregation, Father Fadi Flaifel, told the BBC after the incident: “We totally reject the desecration of the cross, our sacred symbol, and all religious symbols.
“It goes against the declaration of human rights, and it doesn’t reflect civility.”
He claimed similar incidents had happened before.
Among those to condemn the incident was the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee – the representative of Israel’s most important ally – who called on Monday for “swift, severe, and public consequences” following the “outrageous act”.
Netanyahu had expressed regret for the incident “and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world”.
Also, from the grapevines, this writer has been told of how Jews usually spit on Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land in Jerusalem when they do embark on pilgrimages. These extremist Jews are accused of pouring abusive languages on the Christian pilgrims and these persons have had confrontation with Muslims in their Mosque in Jerusalem especially during the celebrations of Islamic feasts.
We are also concerned about how Jews are unduly profiled and attacked by persons accused of antisemitism in Europe. The United Kingdom is one place a lot of attacks on Jews in the recent times have been recorded. Australia, United States of America are also places whereby the Synagogues of Jewish worshippers have seen a lot of violent hate crimes and violence.
What is Antisemitism?
Working Definition
Antisemitism is prejudice, hatred, or discrimination directed at Jewish people as individuals or as a group because they are Jewish.
Key Forms It Takes:
Classical stereotypes: Claims that Jews control banks, media, or governments; are disloyal; or use blood in rituals. These have no factual basis.
1.Conspiracy theories: Allegations that Jews secretly manipulate world events, wars, or economies.
Holocaust denial/distortion: Denying the Holocaust occurred or minimizing it.
2.Double standards & delegitimization: Applying standards to Israel not expected of any other state, or denying Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.
Collective blame: Holding all Jewish people responsible for the actions of the Israeli government.
Important distinction: Criticizing Israeli government policy or opposing Zionism as a political movement is not, by itself, antisemitism. The line is crossed when antisemitic tropes are used, or when Jewish self-determination is denied while accepted for others.
Why Are Antisemitic Attacks Rising in Europe and the US?
The data points to a sharp increase starting Oct 7, 2023, with levels remaining elevated through 2025-2026.
A. Conflict-Driven Mobilization
Trigger event: The Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack and subsequent Gaza/Israel conflicts acted as a catalyst.
UK: Antisemitic incidents hit record levels in 2023. After a slight dip in 2024, they rose 4% in 2025. The murder of 2 Jews in Manchester on Yom Kippur 2025 caused a 65% monthly spike.
Austria: Daily incidents rose 5 times after Oct 7. 2024 saw 1,520 incidents, the highest since monitoring began.
US: 86% of American Jews say antisemitism increased since Oct 7. 1 in 3 reported being personally targeted in 2025.
Global spike: The Feb 2026 Iran war caused a 34% increase in global antisemitism in the first week.
B. Exploitation by Extremist Networks
Islamist extremism: UK and German officials identify Islamist and far-left groups using the conflict to spread anti-Jewish rhetoric and justify hostility.
State-linked actors: Groups believed linked to Iran’s IRGC claimed responsibility for synagogue arsons and attacks in London, Manchester, and Belgium in 2025-2026.
Pre-existing attitudes: German research found 30% approval of antisemitic views in some Muslim communities before Oct 7, meaning the conflict mobilized existing bias.
C. Shift to “Political Antisemitism”
UK Jewish groups report antisemitism increasingly expressed through political frameworks that deny Jewish self-determination and call for Israel’s destruction. This is visible on campuses and in protests. The UK government and IHRA definition recognize calls for Israel’s destruction as modern antisemitism, but this hasn’t translated to consistent institutional action.
D. Impact on the Ground
Violence: ADL recorded the highest number of physical assaults in 2025 since audits began, with 300+ victims and 3 killed. In Europe, 20 Jews were killed in 4 attacks in 2025 – the highest death toll in decades.
Targeting institutions: Synagogues, schools, and Jewish charities have been targeted. Examples include arson at London synagogues, a truck ramming at Temple Israel in Detroit, and an explosion at Liège synagogue.
Behavioral changes: Over 50% of US Jews changed behavior out of fear in 2025. In the UK, Jewish schools hide the word “Jewish” and avoid Jewish symbols.
E. Perceived Government Response
UK rally speakers criticized government inaction and called for treating the violence as a national emergency. UK PM Keir Starmer pledged a “fundamental reset” on countering extremism and increased funding for Jewish security.
Key Takeaways for Decision-Making
The rise is multi-causal: It combines conflict-driven mobilization, exploitation by extremist/state-linked groups, and the spread of antisemitism through political/anti-Zionist rhetoric.
Violence is more lethal and targeted: Attacks on Jewish institutions have increased and become more deadly compared to the prior decade.
Institutional response gaps remain: There is a disconnect between formal definitions of antisemitism and on-the-ground enforcement, especially on campuses.
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Monitoring is critical: Trends are dynamic and often spike after major Middle East events.
Sources:
- Fox News, May 11, 2026: “From London synagogues to New York preschools — antisemitic attacks escalating on both sides of the Atlantic”
- The Jerusalem Post, May 11, 2026: “UK Jewish students testify about antisemitism”
- The Jerusalem Post, May 11, 2026: “British Jews, allies gather in London for rally against antisemitism”
- The Jerusalem Post, May 10, 2026: “‘Broken Glass’ 2026: Britain’s Jews face a new wave of terror”.
This writer believes that the governments of the nation’s experiencing antisemitic violence have done a lot to confront these hate crimes but much more needs to be done because Jews living in those European countries don’t feel safe moving about the cities to do their legitimate duties without being in fear of possible attacks directed at them.
In April, two Jewish people were stabbed in a terror attack incident in North London. CCTV footage published by the CNN on April 30th showed the attacker with a knife on the streets of Golders Green. The incident is the latest in the series of antisemitic attacks in the UK capital, reports the CNN. I therefore call on the United Nations to categorically pass resolutions against these violence against Jewish people all over the world. The UN should speak about these incidents the same ferocious and forceful way that it deals with the Israeli attacks of Gaza strip.
Any attack against any person on the basis of their religious identity is a hate crime and offenders should have lengthy court sentences as a deterrence to others who may be planning similar heinous crimes against the Jewish peoples. Similarly, the State of Israel should pass strong legislation against the continuous desecration of Holy images of Christians by especially the soldiers of the IDF. The current punishment regime meted out already to some of the past offenders, have been very lenient and is not strong enough to deter others from going ahead with such despicable criminal acts. On no accounts should anyone be allowed to desecrate or burn down the Holy relics of any religious groups. These acts are terrorism if you asked me and should be treated as such by the government of Israel.
*EMMANUEL NNADOZIE ONWUBIKO, is the founder of the HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA and was NATIONAL COMMISSIONER OF THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF NIGERIA.
