Celebrities and politics: Bar Refaeli's Remembrance Day Instagram post causes stir

The supermodel's Remembrance Day upload creates backlash as social media followers berate her on both ends of the political spectrum.

Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli caused a stir on the photo sharing application Instagram on Sunday, when she uploaded a photo of a memorial candle with a weeping soldier in the background.

"Memorial Day for those who have fallen protecting our country and keeping us safe. We will never forget you. RIP," Refaeli posted with the photo.

On Monday morning, the post had 43 thousand 'likes' and over 1,200 comments. While many of the comments were in Hebrew, there were also hundreds in English.

Though the majority of the comments in Hebrew were in solidarity with her feelings of empathy for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, the comments in English were far less forgiving.

Some comments included controversial statements such as "Freedom for Palestine," cursing, and harsh threats.

Controversial social media posts are not a new thing for the blonde bombshell. Inn 2012 during  Operation Pillar of Defense, an eight day IDF operation in the Gaza strip, Refaeli was lambasted by Israeli followers for tweeting that she is "praying for the safety of citizens on both sides."

Many Israelis called her "unpatriotic" and accused Refaeli of not caring enough about Israel.

Refaeli has often attracted controversy from fellow Israelis for evading compulsory military service.

By SHULAMIT WASSERSTROM