A hotel employee in California is facing major online backlash after telling an Israeli couple “free Palestine” when they attempted to check in at the hotel.
The incident was recorded by the hotel employee himself, who filmed the Israeli couple as they stood at the check-in counter. At the start of the video, he can be heard saying, “free Palestine.” In response, the woman from the couple tells him that he should remain “completely objective” toward his guests.
“You should be embarrassed of yourself,” the woman then said. The employee responded, “All I said was ‘free Palestine’,” and went on to state that he believed “Israel is a Zionist state.” The woman then replied that she herself was a Zionist.
As the employee continued repeating, “you are a Zionist,” the woman and her partner appeared to speak to each other in Hebrew. It was also alleged online that the woman said she no longer wanted to stay at the hotel because she feared the employee might break into their room, although this claim has not been confirmed by any verified or trusted source.
While the couple was speaking to each other, the employee can be heard asking them, “Are you a baby killer?” He also repeatedly asked whether they had served in the IDF. The man from the couple responded by telling the employee that what he was doing was a “game.” The employee then continued filming himself as the couple spoke to each other again in Hebrew.
“All I said was free Palestine. She said she is a Zionist,” the employee then said while filming himself and the couple. It is not clear from the available footage what happened afterward or whether the employee faced any consequences following the incident.
Viewers Outraged Following Video of California Employee
The video sparked reactions online. Many viewers expressed outrage over the California hotel employee’s comments toward the Israeli couple, with many calling for disciplinary action. “Absolutely disgusting behavior. I hope he’s fired and that the hotel issues an apology,” one person wrote. Another commenter added, “Why the [expletive] would a hotel clerk be saying free Palestine to guests checking in to a hotel?”
Some commenters questioned why the situation took place in the U.S., with one person writing, “Why is this happening on American soil? Why in the [expletive] are people arguing over two countries that are NOT America in America??” Others took a more critical stance toward the couple and defended the employee, with one commenter saying, “Notice they did not say they arent baby killers.”
The video divided viewers online, with some debating who was at fault in the confrontation. It also sparked broader discussion about workplace conduct and whether politically charged topics should be brought up in professional settings such as hotel check-ins.
