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Former NYC Nurse Fired After Antisemitic Outburst Had Praised Iran, Criticized U.S. in State Media Videos
A nurse practitioner who was recently terminated after an antisemitic tirade in Times Square previously appeared in Iranian state media criticizing the United States while praising Iran, according to newly surfaced video evidence.
Jennifer Koonings, 35, was dismissed this week from Manhattan-based Inspire Mental Health Services following multiple videos she posted to Instagram showing her verbally attacking individuals in Times Square whom she believed to be Israeli citizens, shouting “Baby killers!” at them repeatedly.
In footage dated July 17, 2025, Koonings appeared in videos for the Sobh Festival, an event organized by Iranian state media. Wearing a headscarf, she contrasted Iran favorably against her home country, specifically criticizing American infrastructure.
“Living in the United States we’re constantly inundated with negative messaging and propaganda about places like Iran and how evil they are,” Koonings stated in the video. “I live in New York City and the roads are terrible, we have potholes… we have crumbling bridges, crumbling infrastructure, no public services.”
Her visit to Iran came approximately one month after U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Fordow, timing that has raised questions about her motivations. The video shows Koonings praising Iran’s “beauty” while failing to acknowledge documented human rights abuses by the Iranian regime, which reportedly killed at least 35,000 protesting citizens in January.
This isn’t Koonings’ first employment termination related to her controversial views. She has claimed on social media that Mount Sinai Hospital fired her in 2024 from her position as a sexual assault forensic examiner after she made posts denying reports of sexual violence committed by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Mount Sinai Hospital did not respond to requests for comment on her employment status or the circumstances of her departure.
In Instagram posts from December 2024, Koonings alleged that the New York District Attorney’s office had influenced her termination, writing that they considered her unable to serve as an expert witness due to her social media activity. “They accused me of having no credibility as a forensic examiner because of the video I uploaded to IG where I pointed out that the evidence being heralded as ‘proof’ mass grapes [sic] happened… were actually up to no standard of proof,” she wrote.
The nurse practitioner has maintained an active social media presence with approximately 144,000 followers on Instagram, where she continues to share controversial political content. In an April 1 video, she made inflammatory statements about the U.S. military, saying: “Let me speak for all Americans when I say we do not support our troops. Why would we? We do not support a genocidal army led by a raging alcoholic,” referring to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Mental health professionals and ethics experts have raised concerns about how personal political views expressed in such extreme forms might impact patient care, particularly when working with vulnerable populations. Healthcare employers increasingly monitor staff social media for content that could reflect poorly on their institutions or suggest potential biases that might affect professional judgment.
Koonings could not be reached for comment regarding her termination or her appearances in Iranian state media. Her case highlights the growing intersection between healthcare professionals’ personal political expression and their professional responsibilities, particularly in politically sensitive contexts.
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10 Comments
It’s concerning to see someone with a professional background engaging in such problematic behavior. Spreading misinformation and hate speech, even under the guise of political commentary, is unacceptable and undermines public trust.
Absolutely. Individuals in positions of influence have a responsibility to uphold ethical standards and provide accurate, objective information. This case highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency.
While everyone is entitled to their views, spreading falsehoods and attacking others is harmful. I hope this incident prompts deeper reflection on the importance of facts, empathy, and responsible citizenship.
This is a troubling situation that underscores the broader challenge of combating the spread of disinformation and propaganda. We must remain vigilant and uphold the values of truth, tolerance, and responsible journalism.
Spreading misinformation and propaganda can have serious consequences. This individual’s actions are troubling and highlight the need for media literacy and critical thinking skills to identify reliable sources of information.
Agreed. Promoting divisiveness and intolerance, especially towards minority groups, is never acceptable. We should strive for open and respectful dialogue, even on complex geopolitical issues.
It’s deeply disturbing to see someone with a professional background engaging in such inflammatory and divisive behavior. Spreading propaganda and attacking minority groups is unacceptable, regardless of one’s political leanings.
Agreed. This case highlights the need for greater accountability and ethical standards, especially for those in positions of influence. Promoting tolerance and factual discourse should be a priority.
This is a concerning incident. While everyone has a right to free speech, using it to promote hate or make false claims is unacceptable. It’s important to rely on factual, objective information from reputable sources, not state propaganda.
While everyone has a right to their political views, using that platform to promote hateful rhetoric and false narratives is extremely concerning. I hope this incident leads to a broader discussion on the dangers of misinformation and the importance of media literacy.