Israeli army opens Turkish-language account: Background of person in first video draws attention

The Israeli army has opened a new account on the social media platform X to share posts in Turkish. The account, named "IDF Turkish," includes the description "Official account of the Israel Defense Forces" and features a gray verification badge indicating its official status.

The Times of Israel, one of the country's leading news sites, described this move by the Israeli army as "unexpected." It is known that the Israeli army has previously opened accounts in other languages, such as Russian, but closed them over time.

ISRAEL'S TURKISH MOVE 

It is known that Israel considers Turkey to have become "one of the most powerful players" in the region, especially following developments in Syria. According to analyses in the Israeli press, it is emphasized that with the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, Iran has suffered a significant blow in the region and Turkey's influence has increased.

On the other hand, it has also been reported in the Israeli media that the Israel lobby in the US has been pressuring the Trump administration to prevent Turkey from gaining power in Syria.

NAME IN FIRST POST ON THE AGENDA DUE TO CRIMINAL PAST

Only one video has been shared so far on the Israeli army's newly opened Turkish account. It was learned that the person speaking in the video is Arye Shalicar, the former commander of the Israeli army's European desk.

In the video, Shalicar speaks in Turkish and states that "reliable and real-time information" about the Israeli army will be shared. However, this individual's past has drawn more attention than the video itself.

HE WAS A GANG LEADER IN BERLIN 

According to a report published by The Times of Israel in 2013, Shalicar was a figure involved in criminal gangs in Berlin during his youth. It is noted that Shalicar was one of the founders of a gang called "Berlin Crime," and it is reported that he had to hide his education from other gang members.

In a profile by the German newspaper Tagesspiegel, it is alleged that Shalicar rose to the position of gang leader, stabbed a person who crossed his gang, and engaged in drug trafficking. The same report states that when Shalicar was 17, he constantly carried a pistol, a knife, and brass knuckles when leaving the house.

In interviews where he recounts his own life, Shalicar frequently emphasizes his devotion to Israel; in previous statements, he described Israel as the "promised land" and defined himself as a "die-hard Zionist."

News Source : 12punto