Israel launches probe after soldiers pose as Google logo

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israel's military says it is investigating a recent incident at an air force base in which soldiers were ordered to stand in formation to spell out the Google logo for the company's visiting executives.

It said Tuesday it was "an idea conceived during a visit by Google representatives to an Israel Air Force Base. The matter will be looked into."

Footage of about a hundred soldiers standing in the scorching summer heat next to aircraft in a formation that spelled out the logo sparked outrage in Israel, where military service is mandatory.

Opposition lawmaker Shelly Yachimovich said in a Facebook post: "Who will decide which private company to suck up to... and what has this got to do with defending Israel...?" She asked, "how much did this humiliation cost?"