An Israeli soldier in Gaza has reportedly posed a photo of himself urinating on a copy of the Quran, the Muslim Holy Book, in the latest offensive gesture toward the local Palestinian population in the enclave.
According to local news sites, the photograph was taken in Jabalia, north Gaza, where Israel imposed a month-long siege on the city with residents trapped under heavy bombardment and faced a ground offensive.
The alleged image was published on a private Instagram account of a soldier from the Givati Brigade 435 Rotem Battalion and time-stamped with the date 22 October 2024 at 17:41.
The song ‘Violent Crimes’ by controversial US artist Kanye West played over the image.
Online, many slammed the Israeli army’s actions as “depraved” and “disrespectful”, which follow other videos of soldiers ransacking mosques or burning Qurans.
“If someone posted a photo urinating on a Torah scroll, there would rightfully be widespread condemnation. But when Israeli soldiers post photos urinating on a Quran and desecrating mosques, there’s no condemnation, just more praise for them as the most moral army in the world,” one social media user wrote.
“How has this not made any news headline, if this was a Muslim doing this to another holy book (which would never happen) it would be broadcast everywhere, but of course Zionists get their free pass,” another wrote.
The New Arab reached out to the Israeli army and ministry of defence for comment but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Pro-Palestine activists documented multiple examples of Israeli soldiers throwing pages of the Quran onto fires or other offensive acts.
In May, Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that Israeli military police condemned an incident where an Israeli soldier posted footage of himself throwing the Quran onto a fire amid the ruins of a mosque in Gaza.
“The soldier’s behaviour is not in line with the IDF’s values,” the Israeli army said in a statement at the time.
“The IDF respects all religions and condemns such behaviour. An IDF investigation has been opened regarding the incident” the statement continued.
Muslims believe the Quran is the direct word of God, with any acts done to disrespect or contest it viewed as highly insulting and against the religion.
Despite Article 27 of the 1907 Hague Convention requiring militaries to “spare, as far as possible, buildings dedicated to religion, art, science, or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals, and places where the sick and wounded are collected”, Israeli forces have continued to decimate such sites.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 43,922 Palestinians and wounded 103,898 others since 7 October 2023. Israel has also killed at least 3,481 people in Lebanon and wounded 14,786 others.
