Bloodstains and swastikas: IDF spokesmen threatened
Threats against IDF Spokesman in Arabic Major Avichay Adraee increased since Operation Pillar of Defense; wanted poster uploaded to Hamas website; IDF Spokesman Mordechai also threatened
The IDF Spokesman in Arabic Major Avichay Adraee was briefed several times over the last few weeks by the General Staff Security Unit following hundreds of threats issued against him in the aftermath of Operation Pillar of Defense.
Following the operation in Gaza, the army decided to position security guards at the home of IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Yoav "Polly" Mordechai for fear that hostile elements would try to harm him or his family, Ynet has learned. The special security around his home was lifted after a few weeks.
Adraee received safety instructions, and police patrol the area surrounding his house from time to time. Adraee, who appeared many times on the Arab media to showcase the IDF's position, won the dubious honor of being the target of a wanted poster uploaded to Hamas' official website during the last operation in Gaza.
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Lately, insults and threats against the Israeli officer have intensified and his pictures and personal data were widely distributed in social networks and pro-Palestinian internet forums.
Bloodstained forehead
Some of the pictures were edited to include a bloodstain on Adraee's forehead, a red swastika and Adolf Hitler's portrait.
Swastika and Hitler
Army sources confirmed that Adraee, who continues to work opposite the Arab media, was the object of hundreds of threats, insults and curses, on both his Twitter and Facebook accounts, which are some of the most popular IDF Spokesperson's Unit's internet channels.
Adraee often posts in Arabic to represent the IDF to the Arab world. So far hundreds of Arabs worldwide have subscribed to his Facebook page.
The army added that Adraee, who is considered to be the "IDF's public face" in the Arab world, received threats in the past but these have increased and intensified due to the last operation in the Gaza Strip.
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