French man allegedly pulls knife on Israeli tourist in Australia, denied bail by Cairns court

A French man, Leo Raymund Cotene, was denied bail by Cairns Magistrates Court after allegedly pulling a 20-centimeter knife on an Israeli man at a hostel in Australia on Thursday. The incident involved verbal anti-Israel remarks. Cotene, 25, faces charges of common assault with hate crime aggravation and remains in custody until September 11.

A French man, Leo Raymund Cotene, was denied bail by the Cairns Magistrates Court in Australia on Friday after allegedly pulling a 20-centimeter knife on an Israeli man at the Mad Monkey Backpackers hostel on Sheridan Street on Thursday. The incident allegedly involved verbal anti-Israel remarks, including 'You kill people in Gaza', 'I'm not staying in a hotel with an Israeli', and 'F*** Israel.' Cotene, 25, who has lived in Australia since November 2025 and has no criminal record, was charged with common assault with serious vilification or hate crime circumstances of aggravation. Magistrate Tom Braes ordered him to remain in custody until his next court date on September 11. His lawyer, Rowan King, said Cotene hugged the complainant twice and did not strike him. Australian Jewish Association President Robert Gregory warned Jewish and Israeli visitors to exercise caution due to rising antisemitism.