U.S June 13, 2026 — A video circulating widely on social media shows a woman climbing onto a bar counter in what appears to be a U.S. sports bar to cut down and remove the Israeli flag from a string of international flags displayed during 2026 FIFA World Cup coverage.
The incident, captured in a selfie-style video posted by RT on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, June 13, 2026, features a man filming himself and his friend. As the woman in a white t-shirt and black cap scales the counter, the man narrates: “My friend decided to take down the Israeli flag in this bar. Iconic.”
In the footage, the woman stands on the bar, reaches the string of flags hanging from the ceiling, and uses what appears to be scissors or a tool to snip the Israeli flag free. Other national flags, including those of North Korea, China, Mexico, and various others, remain in place. Patrons are visible in the background watching the event, with a large screen showing sports coverage. The clip lasts about 16 seconds and has drawn significant attention online.
The post quickly sparked polarized responses. Supporters praised the act as a bold protest, with comments like “Based,” “Legend,” and “Awesome” appearing in replies. Critics condemned it as disrespectful and disruptive, calling for the woman to be arrested or labeling the behavior uncivilized.
Some users highlighted the irony of other flags (such as North Korea’s) remaining untouched, while others tied the gesture to broader anti-Israel sentiment amid ongoing global debates.
This is not the first time the Israeli flag has been targeted in public displays related to the World Cup. Recent reports noted similar actions, including a Chinese shop owner removing the flag while decorating for the tournament.
No information has been released about the bar’s location, the identities of those involved, or any response from the establishment or authorities. The video continues to circulate as the 2026 World Cup unfolds, highlighting how geopolitical tensions are increasingly spilling into everyday public spaces like sports bars.
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