The operators of an Egyptian restaurant in Sydney’s Newtown has accused major News Corporation-owned publication, The Daily Telegraph, of orchestrating an incident to manufacture an anti-Semitic story.
Footage of the incident reveals Israeli activist Ofir Birenbaum entering their café wearing a Star of David cap and pendant, while staff from tabloid The Daily Telegraph waited outside, including a photographer, reporter Danielle Gusmaroli, and video producer.
Birenbaum has participated in recent pro-Israel protests.
The restaurant, Cairo Takeaway, which has expressed support for the Palestine cause, alleged on social media that Birenbaum initially ordered a hibiscus tea and was served, before asking staff, “Do you have a problem with me because I’m Jewish?”
The post stated the staff member was “shocked and completely taken aback” by the question.
When the staff member sought to disengage, they claimed to have been confronted outside by the Telegraph team, who were allegedly “waiting in ambush.”
“That is out-and-out intimidation. Who comes into a restaurant and asks me a question about this gentleman who I don’t even know?”
The Epoch Times contacted New South Wales (NSW) Police, who confirmed they were investigating and had requested a video of the incident.
A request for comment to The Daily Telegraph did not receive a response at the time of publication.
The founder of Cairo Takeaway, Hesham El Masry, has been robust in expressing his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
In December 2023, El Masry told a social media user critical of a Palestinian flag mural on the wall of his restaurant: “Cairo Restaurant does not want narcissistic Zionist pigs like yourself coming into our restaurant.”
Birenbaum has also been involved in multiple protests, including dressing as an octopus outside Greens MP Jenny Leong’s office and standing in a rubbish bin outside Senator Mehreen Faruqi’s office in response to a sign depicting an Israeli flag being discarded.
