POLICE have said they are treating an incident in which a bus driver in Belfast allegedly shouted "bomb Palestinians" as a hate crime.
An investigation was launched after filmmaker Seán Murray made a social media post on Saturday claiming a bus driver that afternoon had shouted the comment while driving past a pro-Gaza demonstration at Belfast City Hall.
In his post to X/Twitter, Mr Murray said the bus driver shouted while "driving with one hand and brandishing an ‘Israeli’ badge".
Translink confirmed it has launched its own investigation into the alleged incident, and said the probe will involve examination of CCTV footage.
A spokesperson added: "The safety of our customers, staff and the wider public is our top priority at all times and we expect all our staff to deal with the public, passengers and colleagues in a friendly, helpful and professional manner at all times."
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police received a report that a male in a vehicle had shouted a number of comments at people gathered in the Donegall Square North area of Belfast, on Saturday 18th November. A man has been spoken to by police and enquiries into the incident are ongoing."
They added: "The matter is being treated as a hate crime."
