Israelis Beaten at Bar in Thailand After Speaking Hebrew

Three Israelis, including a father and son, were reportedly harassed and violently assaulted at a bar on the Thai island of Koh Samui late Monday night, after being overheard speaking Hebrew. Two of the victims were hospitalized following the attack, while a third managed to escape the scene.

The incident quickly sparked outrage online and was described by the victims’ family as an antisemitic assault allegedly triggered by the group’s Israeli identity. No arrests have been reported, and Thai authorities have not issued an official public statement.

According to Israeli media reports and testimony from one of the victims, the confrontation began when a group described as French tourists approached the Israelis after hearing them speak Hebrew. The attackers allegedly confronted them, telling them, “You are Israelis.”

Two of the Israelis fled to a bathroom inside the venue, but the assailants reportedly chased after them, forced open the stall door, and demanded they empty their pockets. Moments later, the situation escalated into violence.

Family members said that security guards at the bar intervened, but instead of separating the groups, allegedly joined in the assault. “He ran toward the exit. There were security guards or guards there who joined the attack and beat them brutally for no reason. My mother saw everything,” the sister of one of the victims told N12.

Two of the Israelis were hospitalized with serious injuries. “He broke ribs, teeth, and a vertebra in his back,” the sister said. “They’re making efforts with the embassy and the insurance company to fly him back to Israel as soon as possible.”

The family said two Israeli women living on the island rushed to assist the victims and remained with them at the hospital. “They are angels,” the sister said.

The sister emphasized that the assault was not random. “We have no doubt it’s antisemitic,” she said, adding that the attackers shouted “Itbach al-Yahud” and “You are the IDF” during the beating.

Local police reportedly arrived at the scene but, according to testimony cited in Israeli media, urged the victims not to speak publicly about the incident. It remains unclear whether any suspects have been detained.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is handling the case. “The department for Israelis in distress abroad and Israel’s consul in Bangkok have been handling the matter from the moment we received word of the incident, assisting the Israeli youths and working with Thai authorities to ensure the police investigation is pursued,” the ministry said in a statement.