Icelandic man reports threats after viral rabbi confrontation

Samúel Guðmundsson has received several threats from Israelis after a video showing him confronting American Rabbi Jacob Shmuley Boteach spread rapidly online, mbl.is reports.

Guðmundsson appeared with Boteach on British broadcaster Piers Morgan’s programme Uncensored, which aired on Thursday evening. The two engaged in a heated argument during the programme.

The video was recorded in Akureyri, where Guðmundsson approached Boteach and said, “Fuck Israel and fuck genocide,” referring to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza.

Boteach reacted angrily to the remarks, followed Guðmundsson and his girlfriend through the streets of Akureyri with a camera, and accused him of antisemitism.

“Several Israelis have sent threats. One sent a message to my girlfriend saying he intended to find out where she and her family lived,” Guðmundsson told mbl.is.

He said he had tried to avoid reading comments on social media, although most of what he had seen had been positive. He also thanked people around the world, and especially fellow Icelanders, for their support.

Guðmundsson said Boteach was unhappy with him and had wished him harm on his own social media accounts. He added that he was pleased with how Morgan challenged the rabbi during the programme.

Looking ahead, Guðmundsson said he was keeping his options open and had plenty of strong opinions if people wanted to hear more from him. He said the main priority was to draw attention to the issue, which he described as a terrible situation for the victims of Israel.

He said opposition to what he called the genocide had brought people together across the political spectrum, including many right-wing people of his age. Guðmundsson said he would not normally be classified as left-wing, but that the issue had united people and shown the best in them.