Israeli Military Launches Turkish Service Led by Controversial Spokesman

The Israeli military has launched a Turkish-language account on X, featuring Arye Sharuz Shalicar as spokesperson. Shalicar’s background includes a controversial history of gang involvement, specifically an incident involving a stabbing. His appointment has faced scrutiny due to his past and criticism surrounding his previous media engagements. Shalicar has sought to convey Israel’s military objectives targeting Hamas, though backlash persists over the military’s choice to appoint him without a native Turkish speaker.

The Israeli military has initiated a Turkish-language account on X, formerly known as Twitter, featuring Arye Sharuz Shalicar as spokesperson. Shalicar, a senior official in the Israeli military, possesses a controversial history interlinked with gang activity in Germany, notably an incident involving the stabbing of a Turkish rival.

Shalicar’s announcement of the new account claims it will provide “reliable and instant updates on developments regarding the IDF.” His past has garnered significant scrutiny; he was born in 1977 in Germany to Iranian Jewish parents and grew up in a gang environment in Berlin.

His criminal activities involved graffiti, robberies, and altercations, including a stabbing incident at age 17 against a Turkish gang member. This act, which he recounted as having transpired during a gang attack, contributed to his notorious reputation in this milieu.

Reflecting on his past, Shalicar expressed remorse over his actions and the impact they had on his family, revealing that his mother suffered due to his lifestyle choices. Despite the adversities, he fostered friendships with Turkish and Kurdish individuals, some of whom provided him protection against antisemitic attacks.

In 1999, he began learning Russian and Turkish, and ultimately immigrated to Israel in 2001 after completing his military service. Later, he pursued studies in international relations and Middle Eastern policy, culminating in his role as a spokesperson for the military.

However, his appointment has faced backlash, with critics questioning the rationale behind launching this Turkish-language initiative without a native speaker. Shalicar’s prior tenure as a spokesperson for German media was marked by controversy due to his disparaging remarks towards journalists who reported on Gaza.

Despite these challenges, Shalicar previously engaged Turkish audiences with video content, asserting that Israel’s military strategies were directed against Hamas, not civilians. The Israeli military has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Shalicar’s appointment and the associated criticisms.

In conclusion, Arye Sharuz Shalicar’s appointment as spokesperson for the Israeli military’s new Turkish-language account raises numerous concerns, particularly given his contentious past and previous criticisms of media representations. His history of involvement with gang violence, compounded by a divisive presence in the media landscape, leads to skepticism regarding his ability to effectively communicate Israel’s position in a sensitive geopolitical climate. The situation underscores the complex interplay between past experiences and current roles in public diplomacy.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net