Clavicular and Israel: Have we reached the point where we’ll accept anyone as an ally? - opinion

Lead

The visit of American influencer Braden Eric Peters, known online as Clavicular, to Israel has triggered a wave of controversy and soul-searching within the pro-Israel community. Peters, a prominent figure in the "looksmaxxing" subculture known for promoting extreme cosmetic procedures and hypermasculine self-improvement, has a public record of antisemitic comments and associations, as well as allegations of sexual assault. His presence in Tel Aviv, where he was welcomed by some Israeli creators and crowds of young fans, has raised pointed questions about the lines some are willing to cross in pursuit of advocacy.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from the Jerusalem Post, which has covered the story across multiple articles, presents a consistent picture of the events but offers varying degrees of criticism. Some articles focus on the factual developments—Peters's arrival, his interactions, the consequences faced by those who engaged with him—while others take a more reflective, opinion-driven stance, questioning the ethics of the pro-Israel community's embrace of such a figure.

Three articles detail the controversy surrounding Peters's visit, emphasizing the backlash from Israelis and the actions of individual influencers. One piece, written by Zina Rakhamilova, frames the episode as a profound moral crisis for Israeli women and the advocacy community. Another, by Hallel Abramowitz-Silverman, similarly critiques the "desperation" that leads creators to collaborate with someone who has "platformed hatred, extremism, or misogyny." These opinion pieces are balanced by more neutral reporting, such as an article by Theia Chatelle/JTA that notes both the warm reception Peters received in some quarters and the bewilderment of his own followers.

Key Claims

Antisemitic Incidents and Associations

Central to the controversy is Peters's participation in a January incident at a Miami nightclub, where he was part of a group, including white supremacist Nick Fuentes and influencers Andrew Tate and Sneako, that sang along to Ye's "Heil Hitler," a song that samples a speech by Adolf Hitler. The Jerusalem Post reported that Peters was kicked out of the club along with Fuentes. In the aftermath, Peters reportedly doubled down, saying, "I am not sorry. I don't apologize for what I did. I would do it again today."

IDF Soldier's Demotion

Shira Braun, an IDF soldier in the Spokesperson's Unit, appeared on several of Peters's livestreams during his visit. According to N12, as cited by the Jerusalem Post, Braun was formally reprimanded by the IDF, removed from her position, and demoted to a cook. The report details that Peters made moves to touch or kiss her on camera and that she showed him the IDF's official TikTok page on her phone. Braun also shared a since-deleted Instagram post teaching Peters an acro-yoga move, which was viewed by nearly half a million people.

Allegations of Sexual Assault

Multiple Jerusalem Post articles reference allegations of sexual assault against Peters, including an accusation of sexually assaulting a minor. The articles state that Peters is a defendant in a civil lawsuit related to these allegations. These reports are presented as part of the broader context of concerns raised before and during his visit.

Reactions and Departure

During a livestream at the Loullie beach club in Tel Aviv, Israeli influencer Aaron Morali alerted staff to Peters's identity after recognizing him. Peters was asked to leave the club, as reported in a Jerusalem Post article by Theia Chatelle/JTA. Morali told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, "We thought maybe he was a big influencer supporting Israel. But we very quickly understood that he wasn't."

Peters left an interview with Channel 13's Bar Shem-Ur midway through after being questioned about his antisemitic incidents. The Jerusalem Post reported that Peters, who had been speaking about having "a great time in Tel Aviv," was asked if he had "come here to apologize." He responded by explaining that his team came to "explore Tel Aviv, and kind of show that it is a really fun city," and dismissed the negative questioning. He also asked, "Why don't you talk about how much I have done for this country's reputation?" before leaving the interview.

Perspectives

The controversy has drawn distinct viewpoints from those involved.

Critics of Peters's reception: Several opinion pieces in the Jerusalem Post articulate a strong sense of betrayal and concern. Zina Rakhamilova writes that the episode has shown "far too many women that there may be no line left that cannot be crossed," and questions whether the community is willing to "pimp out Jewish women to the manosphere for the sake of effective public diplomacy." Hallel Abramowitz-Silverman similarly criticizes a "growing culture within parts of Israel's advocacy and creator community that mistakes influence for integrity," and argues that embracing Peters sends a harmful message to the world.

Peters's own perspective: In his Channel 13 interview, Peters defended his visit, claiming he came to show the positive reality of Tel Aviv and counter what he called "propaganda and misconceptions." He stated, "Everyone is talking about what we are doing that is good, so for you to start the interview in a negative manner doesn't really make sense," and asserted that he had done much for "this country's reputation."

Welcoming reception: Despite the criticism, some pro-Israel and Jewish influencers enthusiastically created content with Peters, and crowds of young Israelis gathered around him during his livestreams. The Jerusalem Post reported that not all reactions were negative, with some seeing potential in engaging with him as a supporter of Israel.