Israeli army compares Iran to a 'toxic relationship' in absurd Valentine's Day tweet

The tweet prompted widespread mockery, given the Israeli army's own reputation for abuse and toxicity.

2 min read

15 February, 2022

An Israeli soldier fires tear gas canisters at protesters during a demonstration against Israeli settlements near Nablus [Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty]

The Israeli army released a Valentine Day's tweet on Monday comparing Iran to a "toxic" partner and warning followers not to enter into toxic relationships.

"Iran takes money from its people and uses it to fund terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and the Houthis," the army wrote on its official Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) account, parodying a list of signs indicating a toxic relationship. "The Iranian regime is toxic to the Middle East."

Valentine's Day is all about love—but love can be dangerous. Here are some signs of a toxic relationship to look out for: pic.twitter.com/WTSocyV30o
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 14, 2022

The pink tweet immediately sparked mockery and backlash on Twitter.

"Here's something else that's toxic: apartheid," wrote one user, referring to the damning report released earlier this month by Amnesty International, which slams Israel for committing a "crime of apartheid".

"You are a gang of sadistic abusers and should stop tweeting," another Twitter user replied, highlighting the paradox of taking a stance against toxic relationships in light of the abuses carried out by Israeli soldiers against Palestinian civilians at checkpoints.

You strip human beings down to their underwear, grope them at checkpoints, and sexually violate them in detention.

You are a gang of sadistic abusers and should stop tweeting. https://t.co/x5iWKQatqP
— Remi Kanazi (@Remroum) February 15, 2022

Some users went a step further and fixed the IDF cartoon, replacing each sign of a "toxic relationship" by a human rights violation committed by Israel.

this you pic.twitter.com/hmwtRQMPlB
— cathode ray theory (@said_mitch) February 14, 2022

The IDF and Mossad are longtime troll specialists.

They regularly attempt to draft "funny" posts and memes taking aim at Israel's rivals, which usually succeed in triggering a wide audience to generate a maximum of attention.