Social media has been flooded with criticism in recent days following the arrival in Israel of Braden Eric Peters last week, an online influencer known as "Clavicular."
The well-known influencer has drawn widespread criticism in Israel and abroad over allegedly antisemitic statements and conduct attributed to him in the past.
Footage previously emerged showing Peters and several other influencers at a Miami nightclub singing along to Kanye West's provocative 2025 song "Heil Hitler." Some of those present were also seen giving Nazi salutes, prompting a wave of criticism against Peters.
Video with IDF Spokesperson's Unit soldier
Since arriving in Israel, Peters has already posted several videos, including one filmed in Tel Aviv.
The video shows the online personality with a young woman who apparently serves in the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. The two are sitting in a vehicle when the soldier tells Peters that she has the IDF's TikTok login details, apparently as part of her role. Peters then turns to the camera and says that "she has the login details." The soldier adds that she is not logged into the account on her personal phone, apparently referring to the fact that the IDF's social media accounts are accessed through a unit-issued device.
Later in the video, Peters jokingly asks one of the people present whether he would like to upload a video to the IDF's English-language social media accounts.
He also calls another acquaintance and asks whether he "knows anyone in the IDF, because I am with one of the military's social media managers. This girl has the IDF's TikTok login details, so we are wondering whether we can get permission to film a TikTok video."
The video quickly gained traction online.
'The soldier acted without coordination'
The soldier serves in the IDF's International Spokesperson's Unit, which plays a significant role in the military's public diplomacy efforts. The department comprises 20 soldiers, most of whom are lone soldiers or new immigrants, and is tasked with supporting the IDF's public diplomacy efforts worldwide.
As part of their duties, its soldiers respond to fake news on social media, maintain regular contact with influencers and manage dozens of platforms in different languages.
Through social media, the soldiers distribute messages specifically designed to counter online influencers who use fake news to undermine the legitimacy of the State of Israel. The soldier's participation in Peters' video represented the complete opposite of that mission.
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in response: "The soldier acted without coordinating with her commanders, and her conduct is inconsistent with what is expected of IDF soldiers. The incident is being investigated, and disciplinary action will be taken against her."
