Meet Angela Malone: A real estate agent who mocked Gazas destruction on social media

Publish date: 2024-06-14

Angela Malone is a real estate agent from Toronto, Canada, who sparked outrage and controversy after she posted a hateful and insensitive message on her social media accounts, calling for the destruction of Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

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What did Malone post?

On October 18, 2023, Malone shared a photo of a bombed-out building in Gaza, with the caption: “Coming soon to the market. 130 square miles, oceanfront lot. No utility. No power/water. Asking price: $1.00. Serious inquiries only.”

She also added two laughing emojis and the hashtags #israel, #gaza, #realestate, and #toronto.

The photo and the caption were widely seen as mocking and celebrating the death and suffering of the Palestinian people, who have been living under a brutal Israeli blockade and siege for more than a decade.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the latest Israeli aggression, which lasted for 11 days in May 2023, killed 248 Palestinians, including 66 children, and wounded more than 1,900 others. The airstrikes also destroyed or damaged thousands of homes, schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure.

Angela Malone’s post was met with swift and fierce backlash from social media users, who condemned her for her racism, ignorance, and cruelty. Many also called for her to be fired from her job and reported to the authorities.

"I hope Israel levels Gaza."

“Gaza needs carpet laid down.”

Angela Malone is a real estate agent at @coldwellbanker in Texas.

To express your concerns, contact:

Regional manager
📧[email protected]

Texas market president
📧[email protected] pic.twitter.com/jNMHD0nlwB

— Stop Zionist Hate (@StopZionistHate) December 19, 2023

What was the reaction?

Angela Malone’s post quickly went viral, attracting thousands of comments, shares, and reactions. Most of them were negative and angry, denouncing her for her lack of empathy and humanity.

Some of the comments included:

“This is disgusting and shameful. How can you make fun of people who are suffering and dying? You have no heart and no soul.”
“You are a disgrace to your profession and your country. You should be ashamed of yourself and apologize to the Palestinian people.”
“You are not a real estate agent, you are a real estate terrorist. You are supporting genocide and ethnic cleansing. You are a danger to society and humanity.”
“You are a horrible person and a horrible example for your children. How would you feel if someone bombed your home and laughed at you? Have some compassion and respect.”
“You are a racist and a bigot. You are spreading hate and violence. You are violating the human rights and dignity of the Palestinian people. You are on the wrong side of history and justice.”

Some social media users also tagged Malone’s employer, RE/MAX Realtron Realty Inc., and demanded that they take action against her. They also contacted the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), the regulatory body that oversees the conduct and ethics of real estate agents in the province, and asked them to revoke her license.

What was the response?

Angela’s employer, RE/MAX Realtron Realty Inc., issued a statement on October 19, 2023, saying that they were aware of the post and that they had suspended Malone’s business pending an internal investigation.

They also said that they did not condone or support Malone’s views and that they were committed to diversity, inclusion, and respect.

The statement read:

We are aware of a social media post made by one of our sales representatives, Angela Malone, that has caused significant concern and distress to many people. We want to make it clear that we do not share or endorse the views expressed in this post, and that they do not reflect the values and culture of our company. We take this matter very seriously and have suspended the business of Angela pending a thorough internal investigation. We apologize to anyone who was offended or hurt by this post. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for our clients, staff, and community.

RECO also confirmed that they had received several complaints about Malone’s post, and that they had launched an investigation into the matter.

They said that they would not tolerate any conduct that was unprofessional, unethical, or discriminatory and that they would take appropriate disciplinary action if Malone was found to have breached the rules.

The statement read:

We have received numerous complaints regarding a social media post made by a registrant, Angela Malone, that has caused public outrage and condemnation. We are investigating this matter as a priority, and will take all necessary steps to ensure that the public interest is protected and that the integrity of the real estate profession is upheld. We do not condone or accept any conduct that is unprofessional, unethical, or discriminatory, and that violates the human rights and dignity of any person or group. We have the authority to impose sanctions on registrants who breach the rules, which may include fines, suspensions, or revocations of their registration.

Malone herself deleted or deactivated her social media accounts shortly after her post went viral. She also issued an apology on October 20, 2023, saying that she regretted her actions and that she was sorry for the pain and harm she had caused.

She said that she had acted impulsively and emotionally due to the ongoing war in Israel and that she did not mean to offend or hurt anyone.

She also said that she respected and supported the rights and freedoms of all people and that she hoped for peace and justice in the Middle East.

Angela Malone Apology

I want to sincerely apologize for the social media post I made on October 18, 2023, that showed a picture of a destroyed building in Gaza, along with a caption that was insensitive and inappropriate.

I deeply regret this, as this absolutely does not represent my true feelings or opinions about this extremely sensitive and complex global issue. I acted impulsively and emotionally due to the ongoing war in Israel, which has affected me personally and professionally.

I did not intend to offend or hurt anyone, and I am sorry for the pain and harm I have caused. I respect and support the rights and freedoms of all people, regardless of their race, religion, nationality, or background. I hope for peace and justice in the Middle East, and for an end to the violence and suffering of all people.

I ask for your forgiveness and understanding, and I promise to learn from this mistake and to do better in the future.

What was the outcome?

On October 25, 2023, RE/MAX Realtron Realty Inc. announced that they had completed their internal investigation and that they had terminated their affiliation with Malone.

They said that they had found that Malone had violated their policies and standards and that they had decided to end their business relationship with her.

They also said that they had reported their findings and actions to RECO and that they would cooperate with their ongoing investigation.

RECO also announced on October 26, 2023, that they had concluded their investigation and that they had imposed sanctions on Malone.

They said that they had found that Malone had violated the Code of Ethics, the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, and the Human Rights Code and that they had decided to revoke her registration as a real estate agent.

They also said that they had fined her $25,000 and that they had ordered her to take an ethics course and a human rights course.