An Israeli army IDF general has come under fire after his remarks suggesting a parallel between Nazi Germany and present day Israel in his Holocaust Remembrance speech. The controversial comments fueled heated discussion among politicians and on social media.

“It’s scary to see horrifying developments that took place in Europe begin to unfold here,” Israel Defense Forces Major General Yair Golan said, addressing an audience at Tel Yitzhak in central Israel.

The general added that “the Holocaust should bring us to ponder our public lives and, furthermore, it must lead anyone who is capable of taking public responsibility to do so.”

@Jerusalem_Post humanity returned to this Israeli general!

— Ady Fox (@SomePeaceTalks) May 4, 2016

Golan called “to uproot the first signs of intolerance, violence, and self-destruction that arise on the path to moral degradation.”

“There is nothing easier and simpler than fear-mongering and threatening. There is nothing easier and simpler than in behaving like beasts, becoming morally corrupt and sanctimonious.”

https://t.co/G2IVXuivBN
Our moral compass thank you Vice Chief of Staff Golan!

— orenz (@oatezdr) May 5, 2016

However, critics continued speculating about Golan’s comments.

“Disturbed people who will start shouting now against him ought to know, this is what morality and responsibility sound like,” center-left opposition leader Isaac Herzog wrote on Facebook.

@Jerusalem_Post For an IDF general to suggest any parallels with 1930's Germany, truly insane!!!

— Ben (@benghand) May 4, 2016

According to Knesset politician Zehava Galon, Golan’s words “reflect the depth of serious crisis between military commanders and the political echelons who undermine IDF values and encourage militancy,” as cited by Haaretz.

Golan’s comments divided social media, with some saying that the remarks were probably the end of his career, while others calling him their “moral compass.”

(RT)