MIAMI — A dentist in South Florida lost his job after a video circulated online of him allegedly tearing down posters of Israelis who have been kidnapped or killed, multiple media outlets report.
CBS Miami explains that 31-year-old Ahmed ElKoussa was seen on video with a wad of papers in his hand while walking around with a friend through a neighborhood on Tuesday.
By the next morning, the dental office where ElKoussa worked, CG Smile, reportedly announced they fired him.
"We are very sad to see this situation," the office wrote in a statement, according to CBS Miami. "CG Smile is not in favor of any of the actions of Dr. Elkoosa. We do not support terrorist groups' actions or supporters."
The 31-year-old said the four-second-long video "got taken way out of context."
"Unfortunately my video of four seconds got taken way out of context as well as the way that my former employer had portrayed it, that it's an act of supporting terrorism," ElKoussa allegedly told reporters. "It's the very very very contrary, it's to promote peace, it's to deescalate the situation that we're going through and make sure that our communities are safe."
NBC Miami reports the posters were put up as part of a nationwide project started by Israeli artists showcasing missing civilians who were kidnapped by Hamas.
According to attorney Hassan Shibly, ElKoussa wanted to make sure there was no conflict in Florida. When he saw the posters, he was reportedly "concerned" that it might escalate to something worse.
"He removed them after speaking to law enforcement, saying, 'Listen, there’s a lot of tension in the country right now. I don't think there should be pro-Palestinian or pro-Israeli posters hanging around, they may spark conflict. So what should I do?'" NBC Miami reports Shibly explained. "They said, 'Listen, you can remove them if you feel unsafe.'"
Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with airstrikes Thursday, including in the south where Palestinians were told to take refuge. One blast struck a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City where families were seeking shelter, and Israel’s defense minister ordered ground troops to “be ready” to invade, though he didn’t indicate when.
The Israeli military has relentlessly attacked Gaza in retaliation for its devastating Oct. 7 Hamas rampage in southern Israel.
Even after Israel told Palestinians to evacuate the north of Gaza and flee south, strikes extended across the territory, heightening fears among the territory's 2.3 million people that nowhere was safe.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
