Spanish tourist attacks ‘Israeli’ soldier in Philippines, calling him “baby killer”
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
An ‘Israeli’ soldier was attacked at a cafe on Siargao Island in the Philippines on Monday, after a Spanish tourist confronted him amid widespread anger over the war on Gaza.
According to a report from ‘Israel’s’ “Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Ministry”, the incident began when the Spanish tourist approached the ‘Israeli’ soldier/visitor, and asked where he was from.
Upon hearing “Israel,” the Spaniard began shouting accusations including “baby killer” and “genocide,” while threatening to kill him.
An Israeli reservist says a Spanish tourist in the Philippines targeted him for being Israeli, called him a “baby killer,” and threw the first punch.
— Ran Alkalay (@AlkalayRan) August 3, 2026
The Israeli fought back, overpowered him, and the attacker later reportedly apologized and paid compensation. pic.twitter.com/rZWIpOnms8
Video footage that later circulated on social media captured the confrontation outside the cafe.
The ‘Israeli’ reservist soldier warned that the exchange was being recorded and asked the man to step away.
The Spanish tourist nonetheless threw the first punch.
Local police took the Spanish tourist into custody.
After reviewing the footage, authorities ruled that the Spaniard had initiated the attack over the ‘Israeli’s’ nationality.
The attacker was ordered to pay compensation for the reservist’s medical expenses; the ‘Israeli’ sustained a broken finger that later required surgery in Thailand.
The episode fits a pattern of rising hostility toward ‘Israelis’ in tourist destinations since the outbreak of the war on Gaza in October 2023.
Across Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, ‘Israeli’ travelers and dual nationals have reported verbal harassment, refusals of service, and occasional physical assaults linked to public anger over the assault’s heavy civilian toll in Gaza.
