Twitch streamer Hasan Piker found himself in controversy during a recent livestream when he said Hila Klein would have been seen as a “valid military target” during her time serving in the Israel Defense Forces. Piker specifically pointed to Klein’s alleged involvement in an IDF raid in Ramallah while she served as a secretary almost twenty years ago.
“Under international law, those engaged in military operations qualify as valid targets during the act,” Piker explained during his stream. His comments were framed as an analysis of armed conflict laws rather than suggesting Klein is currently a target.
Hila Klein, who co-hosts the well-known H3 Podcast with her husband Ethan Klein, completed mandatory military service as is required of most Israeli citizens. The Kleins have publicly opposed current Israeli government policies and have described the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict as genocide. The same day, Hila Klein responds on Instagram.
The controversy centers on whether Piker’s comments were appropriate given Klein’s limited role as a secretary and the fact that her service happened years ago. Some viewers saw his statements as potentially dangerous, while others argued he was making a technical point about military engagement rules.
But the back and forth between the two creators didn’t stop there. Piker then responded to Hila’s instagram story stating, “this is literally girlbossing genocide defense.”
Piker, who is known for his strong progressive political takes, often talks about the Israel-Palestine conflict and has been critical of Israeli policies. His large following and influence in online political circles mean his comments often get a lot of attention.
This whole situation adds to the ongoing tensions in online conversations about the Israel-Palestine conflict, which have only gotten more intense following the October 7, 2023 attacks and later military action in Gaza. It also brings up questions about where the boundaries are for political commentary on streaming platforms.
