A viral video showing two South Florida men crumpling up fliers containing images of kidnapped civilians at the hands of Hamas terrorists is causing outrage and anger.
The video was shot by Blake Warman on Tuesday evening near South Miami Avenue and 8th Street in Brickell.
“I watched them take it down and I recognized one of the men, and that’s when I freaked out and realized I needed to do something,” Warman said.
After the video was posted to the Stop Antisemitism organization’s social media platforms, the two men were quickly identified as Instagram model Xave Ramoul and Coral Gables dentist Dr. Ahmed ElKoussa.
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By Wednesday morning, Dr. ElKoussa had been fired by his employer, CG Smile.
The dental practice’s owner, Juan Carlos Izquierdo, told NBC 6 his office is facing severe backlash after Dr. ElKoussa’s actions were caught on camera.
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Izquierdo, who has Jewish family members, said his practice doesn’t condone his actions.
“I believe it’s not right. It’s against our position on the entire situation,” Izquierdo said. “Later on, I got a call saying he wanted to explain and that after he explained, everything would be cleared, and I told him I don’t want to hear it.”
The fliers are part of a nationwide project by Israeli artists that show photos of missing civilians in Israel who have been kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist group after the attack on Israel nearly two weeks ago. The fliers are also posted to trees and other utility poles throughout South Florida.
The attorney for Dr. ElKoussa told NBC6 on Wednesday that the dentist was afraid the posters would spark conflict and talked to police before taking them down.
"He wanted to ensure that there’s no conflict here in Florida. And when he saw those posters, he was just concerned that they may lead to an escalation in conflict," attorney Hassan Shibly said. "He removed them after speaking to law enforcement, saying, 'listen, there’s a lot of tension in the country right now. I don't think there should be pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli posters hanging around, they may spark conflict. So what should I do?' They said, 'listen, you can remove them if you feel unsafe.'"
Shibly said Dr. ElKoussa didn't mean to offend anyone and that he stands for peace and unity.
"He was well-intentioned with his actions but he genuinely does apologize to those who misunderstood his intentions," he said.
Shibly said he wants an apology for ElKoussa and to have the dentist reinstated.
Liora Rez, the executive director of Stop Antisemitism, is asking for a public apology from the men.
“It’s just not Israelis who have been missing and have been kidnapped into Gaza by Hamas terrorists,” Rez said. “There are also Americans, our fellow American citizens who have been kidnapped.”
NBC6 also reached out to the other man in the video but have yet to receive an official statement or comment.
The City of Miami Police Department told NBC6 they’re aware of the incident and will be investigating whether their actions rise to the level of a crime.
