{"id":332042,"date":"2026-05-25T20:58:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T20:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/332042\/"},"modified":"2026-05-25T20:58:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T20:58:12","slug":"antisemitic-hotel-employee-in-california-fired-from-job-after-harassing-israeli-couple-starts-gofundme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/332042\/","title":{"rendered":"Antisemitic hotel employee in California fired from job after harassing Israeli couple starts GoFundMe"},"content":{"rendered":"

A California hotel employee accused of harassing an Israeli couple with antisemitic remarks has launched a desperate GoFundMe campaign after reportedly losing his job following the viral confrontation.<\/p>\n

Ryan Smith allegedly worked at Oceanpoint Ranch<\/a> when the incident occurred earlier this week. Videos showed him viciously confronting the Israeli couple inside the lobby and repeatedly questioning them about the country and its military.<\/p>\n

In the footage, the worker can allegedly be heard asking the guests, \u201cAre you a Zionist?\u201d and \u201cAre you a baby killer?\u201d while also asking whether they served in the Israel Defense Forces.<\/p>\n

\"Ryan<\/p>\n

Ryan Smith was allegedly fired from California\u2019s Oceanpoint Ranch after an antisemitic tirade against two Israeli guests. X\/HenMazzig<\/p>\n

The confrontation reportedly began after the employee allegedly said \u201cFree Palestine\u201d<\/a> as the couple exited the lobby.<\/p>\n

The female guest then confronted him over the comment, according to captions accompanying the viral videos.<\/p>\n

The clips, which have generated hundreds of thousands of views online, sparked widespread backlash and accusations of antisemitism from critics across social media.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The confrontation reportedly began after the employee allegedly said \u201cFree Palestine\u201d as the couple exited the lobby. X\/HenMazzig<\/p>\n

Following the controversy, Oceanpoint Ranch confirmed it had launched an internal review into the incident and later said the employee was no longer working at the hotel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe conduct depicted in the video does not reflect the standards of professionalism, respect, and hospitality we strive to uphold,\u201d the hotel previously said in a statement.<\/p>\n

The company also said it had apologized to the guests and reiterated its commitment to making visitors feel \u201cwelcomed, respected, and safe.\u201d<\/p>\n

After news of his firing spread online, Smith launched a GoFundMe campaign<\/a> seeking financial support while searching for new employment.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi, my name\u2019s Ryan. I recently got let go from my job for speaking up on the genocide within the Middle East<\/a>,\u201d the fundraiser states.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will not forget the Congo. The world needs to be set free and I believe peace and love will overcome,\u201d the post continues.<\/p>\n

\"Oceanpoint<\/p>\n

Oceanpoint Ranch said Smith was no longer working at the hotel. Instagram\/@oceanpointranch<\/p>\n

\"Smith<\/p>\n

Smith has doubled down on his pro Hamas views on his GoFundMe page. GoFundMe<\/p>\n

Smith also wrote that he was \u201cglad to have been let go by a company that is complicit\u201d and said he was open to \u201cany and all\u201d work opportunities.<\/p>\n

The fundraiser quickly surpassed its original goal.<\/p>\n

By Monday afternoon, the campaign had reportedly raised more than $13,000 \u2014 roughly 178% of its initial $7,500 target.<\/p>\n

The incident has continued to fuel heated debate online, with some social media users defending Smith\u2019s pro-Palestinian activism while others condemned the alleged treatment of the Israeli guests as discriminatory and inappropriate for a hospitality worker.<\/p>\n

Israeli writer\u00a0Hen Mazzig\u00a0was among those who amplified the video online, while other critics demanded stronger action against the hotel employee.<\/p>\n

The controversy comes amid heightened tensions globally over the war in Gaza<\/a>, with demonstrations and political disputes increasingly spilling into workplaces, campuses and public spaces across the United States.<\/p>\n

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