‘Are you a baby killer?’ SLO County hotel clerk confronts Zionist couple
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- A man identified as Ryan Smith filmed a confrontation during a couple's check‑in.
- Oceanpoint Ranch opened an investigation, and the employee resigned before it concluded.
- Smith's GoFundMe had more than 560 donations totaling nearly $14,900 by noon Monday.
A confrontation between a hotel employee and a guest in Cambria over the Israel-Palestine conflict prompted a viral video, a GoFundMe campaign and the worker losing his job after he asked the woman if she was “a baby killer.”
The worker, who identified himself as on GoFundMe as Ryan Smith of San Francisco, got into an argument with a couple who were checking in at Oceanpoint Ranch and videoed the interaction on his cellphone.
He posted the video on Instagram, where he labeled himself a “Free Palestine advocate,” at one point asking them if they were Zionists and baby killers and if either had served in the IDF (Israel Defense Forces).
Smith is now a former employee of Oceanpoint Ranch after he resigned in the wake of the confrontation.
Neither Smith nor Oceanpoint indicated how he recognized that the couple was Israeli.
According to a statement sent to The Tribune by Oceanpoint’s General Manager Angel Gonzalez, “We are aware of the recent video that was circulated online and understand the concern and emotions surrounding the situation. We appreciate those who have reached out and shared their feedback.
“After learning of the incident, Oceanpoint Ranch immediately commenced an investigation. Before it concluded, the individual in the video unilaterally resigned his position,” Gonzalez said.
“The events in the video do not reflect the professionalism and hospitality that our team members are trained to deliver to all our valued guests. Our team remains committed to fostering a respectful environment for all of our guests, employees, and community.”
For now, hotel management “does not have additional comment,” a spokesperson said mid-morning on Tuesday. Instead, “hotel leadership is remaining focused on supporting guests and employees and maintaining a respectful and welcoming environment at the property.”
Oceanpoint Ranch is a Pacifica Hotels property. The chain reportedly is the largest owner and operator of boutique hotels along the Pacific Coast.
What Cambria hotel employee said to woman
The incident apparently started before the video starts.
The woman called out the employee for his treatment of a hotel guest.
She also appeared to be using her phone occasionally during the confrontation, while her male companion stood off to the side, leaning against the counter.
“All I said was, ‘free Palestine,’” Smith says as the video opens.
“When we pay for a room, you’re supposed to be completely objective with your clients, completely objective,” the woman responds. “And you should be embarrassed for yourself.”
“All I said was, ‘free Palestine,’” Smith says repeatedly.
“And you said, ‘Israel is ...’” she responded, pausing. “Let’s hear.”
“A Zionist state,” he answers. “Israel is a Zionist state.”
“I am a Zionist,” she responds. “... Do you even know what a Zionist is?”
“You are a Zionist?” he then asks. “Are you a baby killer. Did you serve in the IDF?”
The woman and man then proceed to speak to each other in Hebrew.
The video concludes with Smith repeating, “All I said is ‘free Palestine.’”
In his Instagram post, Smith escalated his assessment of the interaction, writing “I’ve NEVER stared into the soul of the devil like I did tonight” and “IDF soldier child killer stays at hotel in Cambria.”
He maintained Oceanpoint let him go over what he sees as his right to free speech.
Following the altercation, Smith launched a GoFundMe, saying “All the donations will be going directly to me to help with any bills, medical expenses, etc. that I have while I continue to look for work as well as fundraisers for the children who really need the help.”
As of Monday afternoon, the GoFundMe account had accumulated more than 560 donations totaling nearly $15,015, more than double the $7,500 goal.
The donations ranged from $5 to $300, many of them contributed by people who chose to identify as anonymous.
The Tribune reached out to Smith for further comment Tuesday, but he had not responded by the time this story was published.
This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 9:00 AM with the headline "‘Are you a baby killer?’ SLO County hotel clerk confronts Zionist couple."
