A violent brawl broke out at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport after an Israeli traveler said an American passenger told him that “Hitler was right.”
Video from the airport shows the fight, which took place in the domestic departures waiting area.
Footage of the airport brawl
According to reports in the Philippine media, local police said the confrontation began after Kenneth Scott Lee, a 54-year-old American traveling to Cebu, allegedly directed racist remarks at Noam, a 37-year-old Israeli who was also bound for the city.
Witnesses said Lee mocked Noam’s faith. According to the Israeli, he heard Lee say: “Jewish baby killer. Hitler was right. It’s a shame Hitler didn’t finish killing the Jews.”
The Israeli, angered by the remarks, reportedly kicked Lee’s trolley bag and punched him. A nearby table was damaged during the altercation. Lee, however, gave a different account, claiming that the Israeli was the aggressor. He said Noam had interrupted a private conversation and attacked him without any provocation.
Airport police separated the two men, and both were taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.
The case has been referred to the city prosecutor, and both men are facing an investigation on suspicion of creating alarm and scandal.