Israeli soldier posts Instagram image of Palestinian child in crosshairs of rifle

[Violet_Crumble]

Military investigates Mor Ostrovski, 20, as row grows over spate of offensive images posted online by Israeli soldiers


Phoebe Greenwood
guardian.co.uk, Monday 18 February 2013 10.06 GMT

An Israeli soldier has sparked outrage by posting a photograph appearing to show the back of a Palestinian boy's head in the crosshairs of his sniper rifle on a social networking site.

The context of the picture, posted on the personal Instagram site of Mor Ostrovski, 20, could not be verified but the aggressive message is clear. The minarets and Arabic architecture of the village captured in the background suggest the boy and the town are Palestinian. Ostrovski is an Israeli soldier in a sniper unit.

The Israeli military said the soldier's commanders were investigating the incident. His actions "are not in accordance with the spirit of the IDF or its values", a spokesperson said.

Ostrovski, who has closed his Instagram account, told the army he did not take the picture but found it on the internet.

Breaking the Silence, an organisation of veteran Israeli combat soldiers campaigning to raise awareness about life in the West Bank, condemned the image. "This is what occupation looks like. This is what military control over a civilian population looks like," one member wrote on the group's Facebook page.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/18/israeli-soldier-posts-instagram-palestinian

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

1. How dare you post such an anti-Israeli hit piece!

[Scootaloo]

2. Cue Oberliner whining about The Guardian in 3... 2... 1...

[Scurrilous]

3. That pic would make a nifty t-shirt...

Israeli shirts put Arabs in crosshairs (03/24/2009)

<snip>



"Israel's military condemned soldiers for wearing T-shirts of a pregnant woman in a rifle's crosshairs with the slogan "1 Shot 2 Kills," and another of a gun-toting child with the words, "The smaller they are, the harder it is."

The T-shirts were worn by some Israeli Defense Forces to mark the end of basic training and other military courses, the Haaretz newspaper reported."

Read more: Israeli shirts put Arabs in crosshairs - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/ci_11981419?source=rss#ixzz2LI19G3kS

[Kolesar]

28. NAGR

National Association of Gun Rights

[Scurrilous]

5. Palestinian Blogger Chips Away at Israel’s Image, One Ill-Advised Instagram at a Time

<snip>

"A young Israeli soldier was reprimanded by his superiors this week after his urge to share his military life with friends and strangers online led him to post a photograph on Instagram offering a view of the back of a Palestinian boy’s head in the cross hairs of a sniper rifle.

The photograph was discovered last week by the Palestinian-American activist Ali Abunimah, who monitors social networks for “raw and unfiltered” glimpses of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank to publicize on The Electronic Intifada, a site he co-founded.

Before the 20-year-old Israeli sniper who uploaded the photograph was able to delete his Instagram account, Mr. Abunimah and other bloggers copied it and the snapshot was published on news sites in Israel and around the world — dealing another self-inflicted blow to the Israeli military’s effort to use the Web to burnish its image.

After a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces told reporters that sharing the photograph was “a severe incident which doesn’t accord with the I.D.F.’s spirit and values,” the young man also deleted his Facebook account, where he had posted images of himself using his sniper rifle as a comic prop."

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/palestinian-blogger-chips-away-at-israels-image-one-ill-advised-instagram-at-a-time/

[azurnoir]

6. Thanks for the link

[Scurrilous]

8. You're welcome.

[Jefferson23]

7. "This is what occupation looks like....

Yes.

[Scurrilous]

9. Israel Soldier Reprimanded for Nude Photos, Slurs

<snip>

"Israel's military says it has reprimanded a soldier who posted photos of himself naked — with a rifle concealing his genitals — and making derogatory comments about Arabs on social media sites.

Capt. Eytan Buchman, a military spokesman, described the incident as "severe" and said Wednesday that the soldier's conduct is still being investigated.

The soldier published the material on his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. The images were then published on "Electronic Intifada," a pro-Palestinian website. It quoted the soldier's Facebook status as saying he just joined the army "to beat up terrorists."

It was the latest in a string of incidents in which soldiers have posted inappropriate material online."

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/israel-soldier-reprimanded-nude-photos-slurs-18547680

[oberliner]

10. Kudos again to Israel

Good job taking care of this sort of crap.

[King_David]

11. +1

[shaayecanaan]

12. and good on Electronic Intifada for bringing it to their attention, eh?

it seems that Israel frequently needs assistance in that regard.

[Purveyor]

13. ;) eom

[azurnoir]

15. +1

[oberliner]

16. Breaking the Silence

It's great that Israel has so many organizations devoted to promoting human rights.

It is good when sites like Electronic Intifada and 972mag give those organizations a platform.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

19. Yes it is great. I agree.

And since Israel seems to be deficient in such abilities I guess it must be left to others with higher moral standards.

[oberliner]

29. Amen

Would that other similarly deficient governments had the same level of accountability for their citizens.

[shaayecanaan]

14. The EI thread is actually well worth a read

http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/stoned-naked-armed-and-dangerous-more-disturbing-images-israeli-soldiers

It seems that little Osher got in some trouble at school:-

COLLIER COUNTY: Administrators with Pine Ridge Middle School say a 14-year-old tried to scare other students with a BB gun at school. But the family of the boy is speaking out and claiming it was all a big mistake.

The family of 14-year-old Osher Maman says he never had any intentions of hurting anyone and simply made a mistake. But students who witnessed him taking it out say otherwise.

Maman's parents even offered a statement that went as follows: "We are a good family. We bought the gun as a gift. Our son was excited about it. He made a mistake."

But Pine Ridge Middle School administrators think differently. They say the teenager took the gun out at the bus stop and showed children to scare them.

Twelve-year-old Julie Scasso and 11-year-old Ashley Brenan were at the boy's bus stop Tuesday morning.

"He pulled it out and started shooting at us and we ran. We ran back to my house," said Brenan.

Administrators admit the boy didn't take the gun out at school. In fact, they found it in his locker only after the girls reported him. Administrators suspended him anyway and are also considering expulsion.

The boy's family runs a successful contracting business in Naples and are very active in the local synagogue. They believe the punishment is much too severe.

When Maman was arrested and charged in the BB gun incident – classified by authorities as a weapon, not a toy, his father, Zion Maman, told media that “the culture in Israel has a more relaxed view about toy guns.”

[oberliner]

17. Ali Abuminah is legendary

Everything he writes should be required reading.

[shaayecanaan]

18. I myself prefer the Gatestone Institute

I read a fascinating piece on there once about the fondness al-Qaeda terrorists have for engaging in enthusiastic bouts of gay sex with each other.

Apparently by pounding each other up the arse, it becomes easier to insert weapons and bombs up the rear orifice which can then be later used in various terrorist deeds of derring-do.

http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3158/islam-sodomy

We should express thanks to you for bringing such a wonderful resource to the forum's attention.

[oberliner]

30. I have no idea what that is

Sounds pretty ridiculous to me.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

20. What a nice boy. A perfect fit for the IDF.

Maman wrote a message on Facebook on 13 August 2011:

im leaving to the israeli army this monday, just wanted to say.. fuck the police, fuck barron collier high school and all the staff, fuck all the judges, fuck all you little hater faggots that blow up my fb and phone talking shit, fuck the bitches that cheated on me, fuck the virus i just got on my computer and whoever created it, fuck you fuck you fuck you, whos next…

One year later, Maman celebrated the anniversary of his move in another Facebook status:

So one year ago i moved here to join the army… Im not gonna make up some bullshit glorious story to break your heart… I just did it to beat up terrorists and shit… Happy one year anniversary Mmmmmffffffckasss!!!

[Scurrilous]

21. I hope they don't kick him out of the army...

..the POS might come back to Florida.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

22. If you really think about it that assh*le moving to Israel might

have saved us from another SandyBrook tragedy.

He definitely had a lot of anger, and he posted about it. If he does come back I hope he never has any access to firearms.

[King_David]

24. Such incidents are not common in Israel.

Not like they are here .

[azurnoir]

26. Your right most of these types of incidents (IDF abuse type incidents) happen in the

West Bank or Palestine as it is recognized by 131 countries, not in Israel.

[King_David]

32. School Shootings in the West Bank ?

Really ?

Before the Security Barrier and checkpoints there were frequent and major massacres on buses,pizza parlors, hotels etc perpetrated mainly by Hamas who are the ( one time only and a long time ago ) elected government if Gaza .
But very rarely a school massacre type scenario as what happened at Sandybrook .

[azurnoir]

41. ah but the subject was IDF not school shootings

but whatever pleases

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

46. Give KingD a break. The poor chap has too much fantasy in his reality.

[King_David]

36. Actually you are right , there was an "incident " ,The Mercaz HaRav massacre

The Mercaz HaRav massacre, also called the Mercaz HaRav shooting, was an attack that occurred on 6 March 2008, in which a lone Palestinian gunman shot multiple students at the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva, a religious school in Jerusalem, Israel, after which the gunman himself was shot dead. Eight students and the perpetrator were killed. Eleven more were wounded, five of them placed in serious to critical condition.[4][5][6]


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercaz_HaRav_massacre


IDF wasn't involved though...

[azurnoir]

40. school shootings have nothing to do with my comment but it's nice to see that

Jerusalem is the West Bank Palestine I must say I'm shocked even though your reply has no a wit to do with my comment

[King_David]

42. Actually you started this conversation

with me but good try.
Re read the thread.

[azurnoir]

47. well I did read the thread and the subject

and I do understand crimson ichthyes being interjected too

[King_David]

49. Kol Hakavod

[azurnoir]

52. well good for you

too

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

48. And school shootings had nothing to do with azurnoir 's comment.

Re read azurnoir 's comments.

[Violet_Crumble]

54. So? That doesn't make it acceptable n/t

[King_David]

55. Of course not. nt

[King_David]

23. You right Florida is almost the holy land for Jews

But I don't think our community here approves of this type of bigoted delinquency.

PS : Aroma restaurants are expanding over Southern Florida , ate there last night , was packed full of people . No BDS here.

[Violet_Crumble]

27. Scurry didn't say that. Why would you make out he did?

And I wish you'd stop pretending yr speaking on behalf of anyone but yrself. Most people don't try to downplay outright and vicious hatred by labelling it delinquency...

[King_David]

31. Say what ?

You seem to answer for any post I reply to no matter who the person is ?

I was speaking on behalf of myself and about my community . ( being an officer for a Major organization within my community here I kinda got used to it ... So can't oblige you on that either )

Cheers !

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

34. This is a message board, KingD.

Unless there are some hidden rules about posting or replies once something is posted it is pretty open territory for rebuttal.

[King_David]

35. I agree ,

Spread the word.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

37. You seem to need the most education at this moment. Glad you agree, though.

"You seem to answer for any post I reply to no matter who the person is ?"

[King_David]

38. It's an open forum you can answer to any post you want

You can even put me on ignore if you want. 8 others have.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

45. I agree.

If you feel that way you are welcome to do it to me.

I won't think any less of you.

[Violet_Crumble]

51. Glad you've caught onto that. It's a sharp turnaround from complaining about me for replying to you.

btw, Dave. I'm sure everyone appreciates you pointing out the bleeding obvious that we can all reply to any post we want and we can put anyone we want on ignore. On behalf of them I'd like to thank you for coming out with these stunning revelations about DU

[King_David]

56. My Pleasure.

Sometimes the obvious needs to be heard.

[Violet_Crumble]

59. No worries. Just make sure you live by what yr now saying...

I'm so glad yr here and are always pleasant and constructive and logical in what you say. If only more folk took yr approach to posting, DU would be a very different place, my friend!

[Violet_Crumble]

39. You said you agree with Scurry about 'Florida is almost the holy land for Jews'

Scurry didn't say that, so why you make out he did...

As I said, you need to stop projecting yr own opinions onto everyone else in yr 'community'. Unless we're talking a group of folk who don't like thinking at all and who tend to minimise hatred and bigotry by labelling it delinquency, then it'd be impossible that they all think exactly the same way on everything...

And I have no idea at all what yr first sentence means, but if yr going to make up things that people haven't said then expect people to notice what yr doing...

Have a lovely day!

[King_David]

43. I agreed that I hoped he doesn't return to Florida .

[Violet_Crumble]

50. No, you said 'You right Florida is almost the holy land for Jews'

That was in response to Scurry. But he didn't say that. So why would you make out he did? It's not a very nice thing to do, Dave...

[oberliner]

53. "It's not a very nice thing to do, Dave"

Who is "Dave" ?

[King_David]

58. Yes exactly nt

[King_David]

57. Yea it's obvious that YOU know better than myself

what I had meant to say . Even after I clarify it.

[Violet_Crumble]

60. No, Dave. I'm copying and pasting EXACTLY what you said...

If you want to tell everyone that ''You right Florida is almost the holy land for Jews" actually meant 'I hoped he doesn't return to Florida' then I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to have a think about working on yr communication style, because that's not something I would have picked. Though maybe you just had a bad typing day and got all thumbtied which is why something completely different came out...

btw, there's no need to get snarky and uncivil, Dave. I have seen you telling off other DUers for supposedly lacking in civility, so I'd be hoping you'd lead by example. Can you please try and keep in non-nasty? It'd really be appreciated on my part!

[King_David]

61. Ok thanks Vi. nt

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

33. Perhaps KingD meant indiscretions of youth.

Last edited Thu Feb 21, 2013, 09:57 PM - Edit history (1)

[azurnoir]

25. well at least he doesn't mince words

lays it all right out there

[Jefferson23]

44. Drugs, guns and bound Palestinians: An Israeli soldier's photo album

Days after a Golani Brigade soldier posted a photograph of a Palestinian boy in the crosshairs of his rifle, a new scandal emerges surrounding an Israeli soldier's online photos.
By Oded Yaro

Feb.21, 2013

Israel Defense Forces soldiers’ social-media activity is once again creating a storm on the Internet, just days after a soldier who posted a photograph of a Palestinian boy in the crosshairs of his sniper’s rifle drew harsh criticism.

The current outrage has to do with a Golani Brigade soldier who posted pictures of himself on Instagram, smoking what he says are joints, while in uniform. The soldier uploaded a second photograph of a bound Palestinian prisoner, and also boasted on Twitter of having killed a Palestinian.

Electronic Intifada first reported on the soldier's photographs and apparently spent time rummaging through the photos he posted online. The site posted a number of his pictures, including one of him half-naked and holding a weapon. The soldier has since blocked his accounts on Instagram and Facebook.

Among the other photos included in Electronic Intifada's report were two with English captions reading “Keep calm and kill people in your mind” and “Keep calm and take over Gaza.” Another picture shows a map of the Gaza Strip with the caption “Soon to be a giant theme park!!”

The report also included the soldier’s response to an Arab user's comment on Facebook, in which he wrote, “For all I care you can comment all my pictures, you’re just a f--king Arab pile of s--t, you even smell like it….”

The IDF Spokesperson responded: “This is a grave incident, which does not represent the IDF. Our investigation of the incident is ongoing and disciplinary action will be taken in its wake. The IDF will continue to act to prevent incidents of this sort, which are not in line with the IDF's values.”

This incident was reported after Electronic Intifada and other news sites around the world last weekend posted an Instagram photo of what appears to be a Palestinian boy in the crosshairs of a sniper's rifle.

"This is what occupation looks like," representatives of Breaking the Silence, a group of IDF combat veterans who aim to raise public awareness of what happens in the territories, said on the group's Facebook page. "This is what military control over a civilian population looks like."

More photos from the Golani soldier's account.

in full: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/drugs-guns-and-bound-palestinians-an-israeli-soldier-s-photo-album.premium-1.50488

[Violet_Crumble]

62. I wonder if this qualifies as 'Palestinian child abuse'?

I think it would be if it were Palestinians posting those images...

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

63. It's all context really, or so I am told.

When Palestinians do it then it is child abuse. When a Soldier does it then there is a great silence.