A New York City mental health nurse was fired after a video of her harassing a group of Israeli tourists in bustling Times Square went viral online. In the video, the nurse can be seen confronting the men — who were simply sitting with their luggage, and shouting incendiary remarks including “baby killers” and “terrorists,” blaming them for violence in Gaza.
At one point, a street performer dressed as Spider‑Man stepped in, urging the woman to stop her aggressive behaviour: “You don’t need to harass people — you don’t know anything about them,” he told her. Yet she continued the tirade, even turning her ire toward the costumed bystander.
The Instagram outburst that ended her career
The nurse, Jennifer Koonings, shared the clips on her Instagram account — where she has a substantial following. In the posts, she directs profanities at the group, repeatedly accusing them of killing babies and saying “we don’t want you here.”
Within hours of the video going viral on platforms like Instagram and X, widespread public outrage and backlash surged online, with many calling for consequences over her conduct.
Employer takes swift action
Responding to the uproar, Inspire Mental Health Services, the Manhattan‑based clinic where Koonings worked, terminated her employment. Her profile was quickly removed from the company’s website, and she later confirmed her firing in follow‑up social posts.
Public records and previous media reports indicate Koonings has a history of anti‑Israel political activism, including controversial statements in the past that drew criticism.
