Pokemon Go mania has spread to the Israeli armed forces and even the office of the president, with Reuven Ruvi Rivlin’s photo revealing how one of the creatures ‘invaded’ his office.
The augmented reality app by Niantic Labs has been downloaded millions of times since its release little more than a week ago. It’s sweeping popularity saw the market value of Niantic Labs’ partner and owner of the Pokemon brand, Nintendo shoot up by approximately $7.5 billion in 48 hours.
One of the unusual side effects of the mobile phone phenomenon, however, has been people trying to “Catch ‘Em All” in places usually reserved for quiet reflection – like New York’s 9/11 memorial or the Holocaust Museum in Washington.
READ MORE: Graveyards, 9/11 memorial & Holocaust museum: Pokemon Go wars waged at ill-suited places
After the US army personnel showed they had embraced the app it appears that military allies Israel want in on the game too.
A picture of character Meowth posted to the president’s official Facebook page suggests Reuven Ruvi Rivlin has had a go at the digital fad. Although, it is not clear if he is a fan since the photo caption read: “Somebody call security.”
Meanwhile, the Israeli Navy came face to face with Gyarados, a sea dragon Pokemon, as the nation’s Home Front Command asked gamers to post images of creatures in a “protected area.”
“Got Pokemon that only we can catch,” the navy boasted on social media.