Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared a video on Sunday with Christian soldiers serving in the IDF, amid controversy regarding the IDF's operations in Christian villages in southern Lebanon.
"I'm here in the Prime Minister's Office with an extraordinary group of young men and women. These are Christian soldiers, men and women, in the Israeli Defense Forces. They fill all the important positions in our incredible military, and they do incredible work," Netanyahu said during the video.
"This is completely contrary to what is presented outside. It's not only that Israel fights for the rights of Christians around the Middle East, but that Israel has Christian soldiers who fight for the defense of Israel and for our Christian brethren throughout the area, throughout the region, and beyond," he added.
He also explained how he was "impressed by the personal stories, their commitment, their sacrifice, their achievements," and pointed out that Israel is the one country in the Middle East where the Christian community is thriving, growing, and expanding.
IDF operations in southern Lebanon affect Lebanese Christians
Netanyahu's statements come after several instances of IDF soldiers targeting infrastructure belonging to Christians in southern Lebanon, with the most well-known incident being the desecration of a statue of Jesus in the village of Debel.
The military said that, after investigating the incident, the division commander removed the soldier who destroyed the Christian religious symbol and the soldier who photographed it from combat and sentenced them to 30 days in prison.
The IDF also stated that six additional soldiers who were present during the incident were summoned for investigatory talks to be held later, after which a decision will be made on further handling of the command delegations.
In a separate incident, the IDF launched an investigation into a video in which Israeli soldiers were seen destroying solar panels in a village in Lebanon, according to Israeli media reports from Saturday night.
The incident, which also happened in Debel, targeted civilian infrastructure, being used by hundreds of residents of the village who had not been evacuated from their homes, with the IDF's permission, according to KAN.
Tzvi Jasper contributed to this report.