A former Love Island star accused of verbally attacking Jewish tourists has hit back at claims he incited the fight.
Sophie, an American tourist, was visiting Perth’s Kings Park on Wednesday when she and her partner Sadee sub came across Laban and another woman.
Sophie was heard in a video singing ‘Am Yisrael Chai’, a Jewish solidarity chant, and claimed that Mr Sub Laban and the unnamed woman had ‘attacked’ her.
“They saw my Magen David,” said Sophie.
Mr Sub Laban, a Sydney law student who appeared on Love Island in 2021, responded by accusing the tourists of supporting a genocide, referring to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Palestine, and calling them “gronks”.
“You are fools, that’s what you are, you are genocide… the child murderer,” he said.
In response to widespread condemnation of his tirade, including from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Mr Sub Laban shared two videos telling his side of the confrontation.
The woman with Mr. sub Laban had filmed their walk through the park and captured the moment the conflict began.
Sadee sub Laban (pictured on Love Island in 2021) was filmed arguing with Jewish tourists in Perth
Sophie (pictured) was heard singing ‘Am Yisrael Chai’, a Jewish solidarity chant, and claimed that Mr Sub Laban and the unnamed woman had ‘attacked’ her
He claimed that the man with Sophie shouted “all glory to Israel” after seeing their “cultural attire.”
Although the audio in the footage is unclear, the man with Sophie can be heard saying “Israel” before Mr. sub Laban responded, “Liberate Palestine.”
“I am a Palestinian – born and raised,” Mr. Sub Laban said in his video.
‘I come from Jerusalem, I have experienced what happens there.
“That’s traumatic for me to hear.”
Mr. Sub Laban also addressed a comment Sophie made during her video of him seeing her Magen David.
It was previously reported that Sophie was wearing a Star of David necklace, but the necklace seen in the video does not appear to feature the religious symbol.
However, it is not clear whether Sophie wore the symbol elsewhere.
Mr. sub Laban (left) claimed that a man shouted “all glory to Israel” along with Sophie, which sparked the fight
Sophie told me earlier The West she believed that Mr. sub Laban and the woman were “intentionally threatening and intimidating.”
“(Mr. sub Laban) told me to keep my mouth shut. He tried to push my husband,” she said.
“I was terrified he was going to attack my husband and my husband was terrified he was going to attack me.”
Western Australian Prime Minister Roger Cook condemned the exchange on Friday.
“I urge everyone to continue to observe and ensure we keep WA a peaceful place,” he said.
“No form of religious or cultural intolerance, harassment or discrimination is acceptable in my community and I believe this is shared by all Western Australians.
“The police can’t be everywhere, we can’t stop outbreaks of anti-social behavior but I think we all, as a community, condemn that kind of behavior.”
Mr Cook acknowledged that both sides had insulted each other harshly, but called on people to resolve conflicts peacefully.
‘I don’t know if the police are investigating. It was a good stand-up and I appeal to all sides in this debate: please let us keep Western Australia peaceful,” he said.
His comments were echoed by Mr Albanese, who called the confrontation ‘abhorrent’.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted both Mr Sub Laban and Sophie for further comment.