“You kill people in Gaza”: French backpacker pulls knife on ‘Israeli’ man in Australia

A 25-year-old French backpacker has been refused bail after allegedly hugging an ‘Israeli’ man and pulling out a knife while making anti-‘Israel’ remarks at a hostel in Cairns, Australia.

Leo Raymund Cotene appeared in Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday charged with common assault with serious vilification or hate crime circumstances of aggravation.

The incident allegedly occurred around 5 PM on Thursday, at Mad Monkey Backpackers on Sheridan Street.

According to the court, Cotene approached the ‘Israeli’, hugged him despite being told not to touch him, and responded, “I’ll hug you if I want,” before hugging him a second time.

He then allegedly reached into a bag and pulled out a 20-centimetre knife.

Cotene’s lawyer, Rowan King, told the court there was “no allegation that he’s … struck him or anything more sinister than that.”

King said the alleged anti-‘Israel’ comments included “You kill people in Gaza,” “I’m not staying in a hotel with an Israeli” and “F*** Israel.”

The court heard that Cotene and 13 other backpackers were members of a WhatsApp group chat called “International Incel Investigating.”

Group members allegedly shared an Instagram photo of the complainant in an ‘Israeli’ military uniform.

King read one of Cotene’s messages aloud: “Next time I see him at the hostel, we might go out somewhere without cameras.”

Cotene has been in Australia since November 2025 and arrived in Cairns about two months ago.

He has worked in construction and has no criminal history in Australia or France.

Police prosecutor Olivier Claes opposed bail, citing “the risk of further offending and endangering other members of the public, particularly those of Israeli origin or those of Jewish faith.”

Claes said the “deliberateness” of the alleged actions meant Cotene would likely face a prison sentence.

Magistrate Tom Braes refused bail and remanded Cotene in custody. He is due to reappear in court on September 11.