Miami, Florida – In a shocking incident that has triggered public outrage, a Florida dentist was caught on camera tearing down posters featuring images of Israeli children who were kidnapped during a Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. The incident occurred in the Brickell neighborhood of Miami, and the video of the act was later shared on social media, leading to swift consequences for the individuals involved.
The video was captured by a concerned citizen, Blake Warman, who witnessed two men ripping down and crumpling the posters near South Miami Avenue and 8th Street in Brickell. According to Warman, he recognized one of the men, prompting him to take action. The video was subsequently shared on the Stop Antisemitism social media platforms.
The two individuals involved in the incident were identified as 31-year-old Ahmed ElKoussa and Xave Ramoul. Ahmed ElKoussa, a dentist, faced immediate repercussions from his employer, CG Smile, in the wake of the video’s circulation.
Immediate Termination and Condemnation
CG Smile, the dental practice where Dr. ElKoussa was employed, wasted no time in denouncing his actions and terminating his employment. In a statement on social media, the dental practice expressed deep sadness over the situation and made it clear that they did not support any actions associated with terrorist groups. CG Smile’s owners issued a statement, saying, “We do not support terrorist groups, actions, or supporters.” They also confirmed that Dr. ElKoussa had been removed from their staff, as well as from all their pages and social media groups.
The owner of CG Smile, Juan Carlos Izquierdo, who has Jewish family members, revealed that he received significant backlash following the release of the video. He recounted that Dr. ElKoussa had attempted to explain the video to him, but Izquierdo was not receptive to the explanation.
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National Awareness Campaign
The posters that Dr. ElKoussa and Ramoul were seen removing are part of a nationwide project by Israeli artists. These posters feature photos of missing civilians in Israel who were kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist group following the attack on Israel nearly two weeks ago. The posters have been displayed on trees and utility poles throughout South Florida.
According to Dr. ElKoussa’s attorney, Hassan Shibly, the dentist was concerned that the posters might incite conflict. Dr. ElKoussa had reportedly spoken to law enforcement before taking down the posters to ensure there would be no conflict in Florida. Shibly emphasized that Dr. ElKoussa’s intentions were to maintain peace and unity and that he didn’t mean to offend anyone.
Calls for a Public Apology
Liora Rez, the executive director of Stop Antisemitism, is now calling for a public apology from Dr. ElKoussa and Ramoul. She stressed that the issue is not just about missing Israelis but also about American citizens who have been kidnapped.
While NBC6 reached out to the other man involved in the incident, Xave Ramoul, they have yet to receive an official statement or comment from him.
The City of Miami Police Department has confirmed their awareness of the incident and stated that they will be investigating whether the actions of Dr. ElKoussa and Ramoul rise to the level of a crime.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about the sensitivity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the importance of respecting the rights and opinions of individuals on both sides of the issue.
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