Israel Police and Border Police on Thursday responded to a video of soldiers in uniforms with weapons drawn dancing at the Bar Mitzvah of Israeli businessman Alon Elgali’s son.
"These are soldiers who responded to a request from a civilian who asked for their participation in the ceremony for his son, a young man who has a deep connection and great appreciation for the activities of the security forces,” the Border Police said in a statement.
“The soldiers, with good intentions to bring joy to the family and community, participated in the event on a one-time basis and in good faith. In light of the event, the guidelines for the participation of soldiers in such events have been reinforced within the unit to prevent similar incidents in the future."
Border Police Commander Brigadier General Barak Yitzhak and the Israel Police Commissioner confirmed that an investigation has been opened into the incident, and the findings will be submitted in the coming days.
The soldiers were filmed masked and wearing sunglasses, and were dancing to music performed by singer Lior Narkis, who was invited as a guest to the event.
“Yalla Mazal Tov, together with the soldiers!” Narkis called into the microphone as they entered together. The singer then clarified that the soldiers were part of the Bar Mitzvah celebrant's family, not official military personnel or security forces invited specifically for the event.
Many Israelis criticised the soldiers on social media
The video went viral on social media, with many Israelis criticising the soldiers’ conduct.
"Scary footage, are we becoming like Hamas and no one told me? What’s the deal with the drawn guns? What is this ugly representation?" one user wrote on X/Twitter.
Brigadier General Yitzhak instructed that the soldiers be suspended from any operational activity until the investigation is completed.
Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the 'attack' on the soldiers
"Enough with attacking our heroic undercover fighters!" National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on X.
"The images of the undercover fighters brandishing weapons while accompanying a bar mitzvah boy (how sweet that his father turned the world upside down for the fighters) are definitely inappropriate, and it would have been better if the event hadn’t happened and won’t repeat itself in the future. At the same time... remember that these are outstanding fighters who eliminate terrorists night after night while risking their lives, living under constant high tension. I embrace the fighters and am confident they’ve learned for the future."
Maariv contributed to this report.