British soldiers photographed making Nazi salute
UK in uproar over photo showing soldiers in Afghanistan posing in front of Union Flag. 'These idiots need to be re-educated, should be sent to visit Auschwitz,' says MP
In an image likely to cause widespread outrage, two serving British soldiers appear to give Nazi-style salutes while standing to attention in front of the Union Flag, the Daily Mail reported.
UK Defense Ministry told The Mail on Sunday that both soldiers have been investigated by Army chiefs. A spokesman said: "This sort of behavior has no place in the Armed Forces. We take such matters seriously."
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MPs and ex-military leaders condemned the troops’ behavior, which most likely took place in Afghanistan. John Mann, chairman of the Commons’ All Party Group Against Anti-Semitism said: "This is an insult to the memory of those who gave their lives to stop the Nazis.
Soldiers salute
"These idiots need to be re-educated and they should be sent to visit Auschwitz and see what happened there and witness the evil which so many people fought to stop."
"So many thousands of people died for this country and the last thing we want is their memory being tarnished by a couple of idiots in uniform.
But some in Britain claimed the soldiers' gesture is the "Red Hand of Ulster" salute, a gesture once used by Rangers football fans to show allegiance with Northern Irish Loyalists.
However, Jeffrey Donaldson MP of the Democratic Unionist Party said: "Anyone who would imitate a Nazi salute in front of the Union Flag or wearing the uniform dishonors these flags and the British Army."
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