IDF soldier fires tear gas canister (illustration)
IDF soldier fires tear gas canister (illustration)Reuters

The soldier who gained fame when he spoke out against the IDF on a German television program, while wearing the military uniform, is at the center of a new firestorm.

The soldier, Shachar Berrin, appeared on Deutsche Welle in May and said: “When soldiers are conditioned and persuaded on a daily basis to subjugate and humiliate people and consider other human beings as less than human, I think that seeps in.” He quoted another soldier as saying things that showed she did not see Muslim Arabs as human, in his opinion.

At the time, Berrin was sentenced to seven days' lockup, and became a hero for the radical Left.

The popular nationalist Facebook page that belongs to rap musician Hatzel (The Shadow) aired new accusations against Berrin earlier this week, allegedly from fellow soldiers, who claimed that he is now about to begin IDF Officers' Course.

Hatzel wrote that Berrin should be dismissed from the military and not promoted. "Now tell me that the radical Left has not penetrated the IDF," he accused.

In response, the Walla! Website accused Hatzel of "shaming" Berrin. It noted that the post received over 5,000 likes and 3,000 shares, and that many of the comments on the post call for physical damage to Berrin, or express hope that he will be abducted.

Hatzel said in response that comments of that kind "appear on any controversial post these days… I oppose violence and do my best to delete calls to physical violence. There are over 900 responses there and it is impossible to follow them."