Activist against Israel challenges ex-IDF soldier on New York beach, faces interrogation instead

A peaceful afternoon on a New York beach took a jarring turn when an anti-Israel activist launched a verbal tirade against a former Israeli soldier, simply for wearing a Star of David necklace.

The incident, captured on video and posted by ILTV Israel News, shows the activist shouting accusations and interrogating the man and his friends in an increasingly heated exchange.

“Yesterday, an unhinged pro-Hamas protester targeted a former IDF soldier on a New York beach, simply for wearing a Star of David,” the outlet captioned the clip on Instagram.

“Despite her shouting and offensive behavior, the Israelis stayed calm, respectful, and composed. The only hate in that video came from one side as usual and it wasn’t theirs,” the post continued.

Palestinian Hamas terrorists during a hostage-prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025.  (Reuters/Hatem Khaled/File Photo)

He asks if she’s ever been to Gaza.

“I cannot go to Gaza,” she replies. “Your people are not letting me.”

“If you go there right now, dressed like that, they’ll slaughter you,” he says, pointing to her bikini.

“That’s not true!” she screams back. 

A lifeguard eventually approaches, attempting to mediate. The protester claims the Israelis insulted her and that they are IDF soldiers who “killed people in Gaza.”

“Insulted you? How did I insult you?” the man asks, still calm.

He again offers to talk — she declines.

“Why would I want to talk to your guys? You guys have killed my people! You’re killing children,” she yells. “Why are you sitting with people who kill children? Is that cool for you?” she asks the other man sitting in the group.

“Just leave us alone,” the man replies.

As she walks away, she shouts one final slogan: “Free Palestine!”

Fox News Digital reached out to the New York City Parks Department for comment on the incident but did not receive a response. 

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com