Recently, there has been uproar on social media surrounding an Indian YouTuber’s alleged mistreatment in Israel. The situation escalated when a video featuring the YouTuber, known as Nomad Shubham, circulated online, sparking debates about hospitality and religious discrimination. However, a closer look at the facts reveals a different story altogether.
The controversy began with the dissemination of false information by certain individuals, primarily Islamist handles, who claimed that the Hindu YouTuber was denied entry at several bars in Israel due to his Indian identity. They alleged that Israelis discriminated against Indians, especially Hindus, undermining their support. However, this narrative was proven to be untrue.
In reality, the original video shared by the YouTuber himself depicted a different scenario. Shubham clarified that he and his friend were not turned away from bars because of their nationality or religion. Rather, they were denied entry because the bars were either full or required prior reservations. This clarification debunked the false claims made by the Islamist handles.
Furthermore, Shubham’s video showed him eventually gaining entry into various bars and clubs in Tel Aviv, where he enjoyed the nightlife alongside his Israeli friends. He praised the resilience of the Israeli people, particularly during times of conflict, and expressed appreciation for the hospitality he received.
In times of social media being flooded with fake news, we urge people to fact-check.
Youtuber Shubham Kumar was exploring Israel and enjoying the nightlife, as evident in the video he uploaded. Some bars were full or had reserved spaces.
While a sliced video of fake news and… pic.twitter.com/OcovcKvisB
— Israel in India (@IsraelinIndia) April 16, 2024
Contrary to the allegations of discrimination, Shubham even mentioned instances where Israeli citizens greeted him with a ‘Namaste’ upon learning about his Indian heritage. This gesture contradicts the notion of hostility towards Indians in Israel and highlights the diversity and acceptance within Israeli society.
The Israeli Embassy in India also intervened, urging people to fact-check amidst the spread of fake news. They clarified that Shubham’s experience in Israel was positive, emphasizing that the bars’ refusal of entry was due to capacity constraints, not discrimination.
In a tweet, the Israeli Embassy reiterated their love and respect for Indian visitors, condemning the dissemination of hate speech and propaganda. They highlighted the diversity of Israeli society, where people of all colors and backgrounds coexist peacefully. The Israeli Embassy in India wrote, “In times of social media being flooded with fake news, we urge people to fact-check. Youtuber Shubham Kumar was exploring Israel and enjoying the nightlife, as evident in the video he uploaded. Some bars were full or had reserved spaces.”It added, “While a sliced video of fake news and propaganda circulates, we want to address a few points: 1. Israelis, like Indians, come in all different colors. The video clearly shows people of all colors enjoying a beer in bars. 2. We love our Indian brothers and sisters and we will not listen to the hate speech being viciously spread.”
All in all, the incident involving the Indian YouTuber in Israel was misrepresented by certain individuals seeking to promote a false narrative of discrimination. However, upon closer examination, it is evident that the YouTuber’s experience was largely positive, with instances of warmth and acceptance from the Israeli people. This serves as a reminder to critically evaluate information before drawing conclusions based on sensationalized claims circulating on social media.
