Townsville shopkeeper defends her ‘anti-Semitic’ rant against an Israeli tourist – as she reveals what really sparked the ugly exchange that’s caused outrage across the world

A shopkeeper who abused two Israeli backpackers in a ‘toxic and shameful outburst’ has defended her anti-Semitic spray.

She broke her silence after video of the heated argument with the young tourists outside her shop in Townsville, North Queensland, went viral.

The backpackers, who are in their early 20s, were reportedly browsing the store on Saturday evening when they saw a donation sign for aid in Palestine at the checkout.

They approached the retailer and suggested she consider tracking where the donations were going, prompting an anti-Semitic tirade from the woman.

Two days later, the retailer claimed she was unaware of the widespread distribution of the images but was unconcerned by the online comments.

She doubled down after watching the clip, adding that there was more to the story than the 11 seconds posted online.

“People can get their own thing out of that video, I don’t really care about that,” she told the station Townsville Bulletin on Monday.

The shopkeeper accused the tourists of ‘trying her out’ because of the donation box.

‘That man is from Israel and he sees this [box] and he just starts running his mouth. So I say get the fuck out of the store,” she said.

“I went outside and also said to him: I don’t know if you can hear, but I said my boss is an Arab.”

She added that the rest of the confrontation “wouldn’t be a good look” for the tourists if it had been posted.

The woman said she had previously had run-ins with tourists who had “made a big deal” about the donation pot.

Those confrontations and the nature of the Townsville CBD have led to her keeping a shovel close to her register.

She allegedly told the backpackers: ‘Get the hell out of my shop’.

The short video shared online then showed the woman dressed in black and then shouting at tourists on the street while holding a shovel.

“I don’t care about Israel, but I do care that you’re a dirty, filthy royal Jew,” the woman shouted as one of the backpackers filmed.

Footage showed one of the Israeli backpackers, who was not filming, confronting the shopkeeper about her comments while remaining calm and collected.

“Will you listen to what I have to say?” asked the other tourist, dressed in a brown shirt and pants.

‘No. Fuck off,” the shopkeeper fired back.

“I said, look what you’re saying,” the tourist continued calmly.

The woman then told the backpackers to ‘f*** off’ two more times.

Footage of the heated confrontation showed the shopkeeper brandishing a shovel while shouting obscenities at tourists

Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to identify the store involved.

The Australian Jewish Association condemned the incident as it took a brutal swipe at the Albanian government in the wake of recent anti-Semitic attacks across the country.

‘The wave of anti-Jewish hatred continues to sweep through Australia. “Free Palestine has brought an ugly division to this country,” the association writes online with the images.

“Many government actions have contributed to the wave of anti-Jewish hatred.

“Incidents like this happen every day across Australia.”

One of the Israeli backpackers (left) challenged the shopkeeper about her language

The Anti-Defamation Commission also condemned “raw, unfiltered anti-Semitism.”

President, Dr. Dvir Abramovich went so far as to call the incident a ‘national crisis’.

“This horrific episode sends a brutal message to Jewish Australians and international visitors alike: that they are not safe in our country. What does it say about us when backpackers, far from home, have to fear for their lives because of their identity?’ he said news.com.au.

Dr. Abramovich added that the confrontation would not only have left tourists feeling “fear and humiliation” but would also have suggested a broader attitude across Australia.

He also called on the authorities to treat the incident seriously.

“This incident is not an isolated flash of hatred. It’s part of a much larger, very disturbing trend. Anti-Semitism is creeping into the everyday fabric of our society and eroding the very principles we supposedly hold dear,” Dr. Abramovich added.

‘Australia is at a crossroads. Will we let this cancer of hate define who we are, or will we rise up and reclaim our values ​​of decency, safety and inclusion?”

The latest incident comes after a car was set on fire and buildings were vandalized in Woollahra, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, early on Thursday morning with shocking anti-Israel comments.

Cars were vandalized with the words ‘f**k Israel’, while at least three properties, including a restaurant, were also targeted.

Hours later, Federal Court Judge Michael Lee slammed the spate of anti-Semitic incidents in Sydney’s east as attacks on his family in a powerful speech at a Jewish House gala dinner.

In an impassioned speech, he said that any attack on the Jewish community is an “attack on my wife and my children.”