New York, NY — A shocking incident involving a skincare store employee was caught on video in Manhattan, showing a woman aggressively shoving two Palestinian women wearing traditional hijabs. The incident occurred on Madison Avenue, just blocks from the site of recent pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protests, adding to the growing tensions in the area.
The footage, which quickly went viral on social media platforms like Reddit, shows the employee standing outside the Introstem skincare store, appearing to target the women as they walk past. Without warning, she lunges at them, pushing them roughly before stepping back into the store. The attack seemed intentional, and some viewers speculated that the woman had been filmed earlier antagonizing participants at a nearby anti-genocide rally. Commenters noted that her actions were not only aggressive but also had racial undertones, as she specifically singled out the women based on their appearance and hijabs.
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Bystanders were quick to describe the store’s behavior as both confrontational and discriminatory. “This wasn’t just a random act of aggression—it was calculated and fueled by prejudice,” one onlooker commented. “It seems like she’s targeting people for their ethnicity and religion.” Many online observers echoed these sentiments, expressing outrage over the clear racism involved.
The Introstem store, known for its high-end skincare products, has faced criticism in the past for its aggressive marketing tactics, with some locals likening the employees to pushy kiosk vendors at shopping malls. “They’re always out on the street, hassling pedestrians to come in,” one Reddit user remarked. “But this crosses a line. What happened yesterday was not just rude—it was racist.”
The company has yet to release a formal statement regarding the incident, but the video has prompted calls for accountability, with many demanding an official apology and an investigation into the employee’s behavior. The incident adds to growing concerns over how businesses and individuals are responding to the ongoing political tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
As the video continues to spread, activists and community leaders are calling for stronger protections against racial harassment, especially in public spaces where such acts of violence and aggression have become more prevalent.
