Pro-Israel influencer says Bibas memorial in NYC ‘brought out the worst’ in antisemites

Zach Sage Fox, a prominent pro-Israel influencer, recently undertook a daring and emotionally charged endeavor to raise awareness about the tragic fate of the Bibas family, whose lives were devastatingly cut short in a brutal act of terrorism. Fox’s journey took him to both the West Bank and the heart of New York City’s Times Square, where he sought to honor the memory of Ariel and Kfir Bibas, two young boys who, along with their mother Shiri Bibas and another victim, Oded Lifshitz, were kidnapped and ultimately killed by Hamas. The influencer’s efforts, however, were met with a mix of sympathy, outrage, and shocking displays of antisemitism, highlighting the deep-seated hatred that continues to plague societies around the world.

The idea to create a memorial in Times Square struck Fox almost immediately after it was announced that the bodies of the Bibas family and Oded Lifshitz would be returned to Israel. He envisioned a poignant tribute: a crib in the center of Times Square, adorned with orange balloons and flowers—a color chosen to reflect the Bibas children’s red hair. The crib itself was sprayed orange, a symbol of their lost innocence. Fox described the idea as a divine inspiration, a way to create an art piece that would honor the victims and bring people together in mourning. “It was within seconds I had this vision of a crib in the middle of Times Square,” he told Fox News Digital. Yet, while the memorial was intended to serve as a space for unity and reflection, it instead became a flashpoint for conflict, revealing the raw emotions and divisions that surround the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

As Fox set up the memorial, he was met with a range of reactions. Some passersby, unfamiliar with the story of the Bibas family, offered sympathetic words, leaving flowers or simply pausing to reflect on the tragic loss of life. However, the memorial also attracted a disturbing number of individuals who used the opportunity to express their hostility toward Israel and the Jewish people. “What was terrifying was it actually brought out the worst in a lot of antisemites who stopped by this memorial to scream ‘Free Palestine’ at us,” Fox recounted. The influencer, who has faced his share of challenges in his efforts to advocate for Israel, was taken aback by the virulence of the antisemitism he encountered. During the memorial, Fox interviewed several attendees and passersby, documenting their reactions on camera. Among those he spoke to was one individual whose antisemitic rhetoric was so egregious that Fox felt compelled to confront him directly, calling him out as an antisemite on camera—a moment he described as unprecedented in his work.

The experience in Times Square left a profound impression on Fox, who described the antisemitism he witnessed as “some of the worst” he had ever encountered. The influencer, who had previously gone undercover in the West Bank to gauge Palestinian support for Hamas, found the hatred on display in New York City equally disturbing. Fox, who documented his interactions with those who protested the memorial on his Instagram, later reflected on the profound emotional toll the event had taken on him and the broader Jewish community. He noted that while Hamas’ attacks on October 7, 2023, had been shocking, the killing of the Bibas children and their mother had left an even deeper wound. Ariel, just four years old at the time of his kidnapping, and Kfir, only nine months old, had become powerful symbols of Hamas’ brutality. Their mother, Shiri, who had also been taken hostage and killed, was laid to rest alongside her sons in a single casket during a heartbreaking funeral on February 26, 2025. Yarden Bibas, the children’s father and Shiri’s husband, who had also been taken hostage during the October 7 attack, delivered a eulogy for his family, having been released as part of a ceasefire agreement.

For Fox, the tragedy of the Bibas family struck a deeply personal chord. He described the pain it inflicted on the Jewish community as “worse” than the shock of the October 7 attacks, emphasizing that the loss of such young, innocent lives had “festered so deep” within the collective psyche of the community. The influencer, who has dedicated his platform to advocating for Israel and combating antisemitism, was particularly moved by the symbolism of the Bibas children. “These babies really became the symbol of Hamas’ crimes,” he said, underscoring the senselessness of their deaths. The crib in Times Square, with its orange balloons and flowers, was not only a tribute to their memory but also a powerful statement about the human cost of terrorism. Yet, even as Fox sought to honor their lives, he was confronted with the harsh reality that their deaths had become a rallying cry for those who seek to justify or downplay such atrocities.

The events in Times Square and the West Bank serve as a stark reminder of the enduring challenges faced by advocates like Zach Sage Fox, who seek to shed light on the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the rise of antisemitism worldwide. While Fox’s efforts to honor the Bibas family were met with both support and hostility, they underscore the importance of keeping their memory alive and continuing to advocate for peace, justice, and an end to hatred. The Bibas family’s story, marked by unimaginable tragedy, has become a symbol of resilience and hope for many, and Fox’s work ensures that their voices are not forgotten. As he continues to navigate the fraught landscape of activism and advocacy, Fox remains committed to his mission, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.