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An employee at an official Olympics store is under investigation after shouting “Free Palestine” at Israel fans during the Winter Games in Italy, according to a video shared by StopAntisemitism.
The confrontation was captured on video and posted Friday by the group, which describes itself as a “watchdog organization dedicated to exposing groups and individuals that espouse incitement towards the Jewish people and State and engage in antisemitic behaviors.”
The Instagram video shows a woman filming a man as she says, “What were you saying? Say it again.”
The man, identified in the post as Ali Mohamed Hassan, can be heard repeatedly yelling, “Free Palestine.”
“This is the Olympics, Israel is allowed to compete just like any other country, it’s not controversial, it’s not rage bait,” the woman filming says in the clip.
StopAntisemitism wrote in the caption: “Antisemitic drama unfolded earlier today as an employee at the official #olympics store started yelling ‘Free Palestine’ at Israel fans.’”
“Police were called and a harassment investigation has been started, with possible charges forthcoming,” StopAntisemitism claimed.
The video had garnered more than 11,000 likes and over 400 comments as of Friday.
Milano Cortina 2026 confirmed to The Post an incident occurred at the Cortina Sliding Centre and said the employee was removed.
“It is not appropriate for Games staff or contractors to express personal political views while carrying out their duties or to direct such remarks at visitors,” they wrote.
“The matter was addressed immediately at venue level, those involved were reassured, and the individual concerned was removed from the shift,” they added.
The IOC did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Some commenters called for the worker to be terminated.
“Get him fired. That, coming from an employee on duty, is harassment,” one person wrote.
Another tagged the Olympics and the International Olympic Committee, writing: “@olympics @iocofficial don’t you screen the people you hire? If not, START.”
“He should be fired,” another commenter wrote.
The Winter Olympics are currently being held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
English (US)