Antisemitic hotel employee in California fired from job after harassing Israeli couple starts GoFundMe

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.

Ryan Smith allegedly worked at Oceanpoint Ranch 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.

In the footage, the worker can allegedly be heard asking the guests, “Are you a Zionist?” and “Are you a baby killer?” while also asking whether they served in the Israel Defense Forces.

The confrontation reportedly began after the employee allegedly said “Free Palestine” as the couple exited the lobby.

The female guest then confronted him over the comment, according to captions accompanying the viral videos.

The clips, which have generated hundreds of thousands of views online, sparked widespread backlash and accusations of antisemitism from critics across social media.

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.

“The conduct depicted in the video does not reflect the standards of professionalism, respect, and hospitality we strive to uphold,” the hotel previously said in a statement.

The company also said it had apologized to the guests and reiterated its commitment to making visitors feel “welcomed, respected, and safe.”

After news of his firing spread online, Smith launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking financial support while searching for new employment.

“Hi, my name’s Ryan. I recently got let go from my job for speaking up on the genocide within the Middle East,” the fundraiser states.

“I will not forget the Congo. The world needs to be set free and I believe peace and love will overcome,” the post continues.

Smith also wrote that he was “glad to have been let go by a company that is complicit” and said he was open to “any and all” work opportunities.

The fundraiser quickly surpassed its original goal.

By Monday afternoon, the campaign had reportedly raised more than $13,000 — roughly 178% of its initial $7,500 target.

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

Israeli writer Hen Mazzig was among those who amplified the video online, while other critics demanded stronger action against the hotel employee.

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

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