Attacking a Melbourne restaurant does nothing for peace in the Middle East
A group of about 20 people – some wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh – threw food, upended tables, and smashed glasses and a window at Miznon restaurant in busy Hardware Lane, terrifying customers and staff, few of whom are Israeli.
Is this who we are in Melbourne, a place that people come to escape conflict, to find peace and to celebrate diversity? Is it not safe to go out for cauliflower and sweet potato?
I am Jewish, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and, as I've realised since October 2023, I carry the trauma of broken glass and hateful slogans and sudden, violent disruption. My cells shrink inside me and I feel paralysed, as though fear has frozen my bones.
As a food writer, it's Melbourne's cultural richness that I love most. I eat Congolese fufu and Persian soup and Chinese noodles and Colombian biscuits, learning and drawing closer to culture and shared humanity. I celebrate restaurants as places of gathering and welcome, proving every day we can find similarities in all our differences.
At Miznon, simple ingredients are cooked with care and served with joy. When I interviewed the restaurant group's Israeli founder, Eyal Shani, as the restaurant opened in 2017, he told me about the mission to source the perfect pita.
He discovered a local Turkish baker and was delighted that a Jew and Muslim worked together for weeks to create the perfect bread pocket. 'We changed the whole recipe for his wood oven,' he marvelled. 'We discovered each pita has a birthmark from fire, each one is unique and its own creation. In the end I have a better pita in Melbourne than I have in Israel.'
Miznon's two Melbourne restaurants – there is another in Collingwood – are part of an international hospitality group, part-owned by Israeli businessman Shahar Segal. Segal is also a spokesman for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a food aid group backed by Israel and the US which has been widely criticised for its lack of impartiality and using aid as leverage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Shocking' attacks leave Jewish community fearful
Jewish communities are on edge after separate alleged anti-Semitic attacks on a synagogue and two other locations in one night, as police step up patrols and counter-terrorism officers stand ready. Twenty congregants were forced to flee a synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man in his 30s allegedly doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight. Police said they were lucky no one was injured in the targeted act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD. The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the establishment in Hardware Lane, where they allegedly chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force. A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations. Hours later, offenders allegedly spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and that the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months. Detectives have issued a photo of a man they wish to speak to over the synagogue attack. They say they are not aware of any links between the three incidents as they continue their probes and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration in Melbourne on Sunday. "Our investigators across all three incidents are liaising with our counter-terrorism command," Commander Zorka Dunstan said. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. "We understand incidents of anti-Semitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened and vulnerable," Cmdr Dunstan said. The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said. "If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said. "This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do." Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the alleged synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and slammed the attacks on the restaurant and business as unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism. "Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X. "There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia. "The Australian government must do more to fight this poisonous disease." Jewish communities are on edge after separate alleged anti-Semitic attacks on a synagogue and two other locations in one night, as police step up patrols and counter-terrorism officers stand ready. Twenty congregants were forced to flee a synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man in his 30s allegedly doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight. Police said they were lucky no one was injured in the targeted act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD. The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the establishment in Hardware Lane, where they allegedly chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force. A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations. Hours later, offenders allegedly spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and that the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months. Detectives have issued a photo of a man they wish to speak to over the synagogue attack. They say they are not aware of any links between the three incidents as they continue their probes and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration in Melbourne on Sunday. "Our investigators across all three incidents are liaising with our counter-terrorism command," Commander Zorka Dunstan said. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. "We understand incidents of anti-Semitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened and vulnerable," Cmdr Dunstan said. The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said. "If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said. "This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do." Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the alleged synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and slammed the attacks on the restaurant and business as unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism. "Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X. "There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia. "The Australian government must do more to fight this poisonous disease." Jewish communities are on edge after separate alleged anti-Semitic attacks on a synagogue and two other locations in one night, as police step up patrols and counter-terrorism officers stand ready. Twenty congregants were forced to flee a synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man in his 30s allegedly doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight. Police said they were lucky no one was injured in the targeted act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD. The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the establishment in Hardware Lane, where they allegedly chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force. A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations. Hours later, offenders allegedly spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and that the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months. Detectives have issued a photo of a man they wish to speak to over the synagogue attack. They say they are not aware of any links between the three incidents as they continue their probes and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration in Melbourne on Sunday. "Our investigators across all three incidents are liaising with our counter-terrorism command," Commander Zorka Dunstan said. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. "We understand incidents of anti-Semitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened and vulnerable," Cmdr Dunstan said. The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said. "If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said. "This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do." Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the alleged synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and slammed the attacks on the restaurant and business as unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism. "Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X. "There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia. "The Australian government must do more to fight this poisonous disease." Jewish communities are on edge after separate alleged anti-Semitic attacks on a synagogue and two other locations in one night, as police step up patrols and counter-terrorism officers stand ready. Twenty congregants were forced to flee a synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man in his 30s allegedly doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight. Police said they were lucky no one was injured in the targeted act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD. The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the establishment in Hardware Lane, where they allegedly chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force. A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations. Hours later, offenders allegedly spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and that the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months. Detectives have issued a photo of a man they wish to speak to over the synagogue attack. They say they are not aware of any links between the three incidents as they continue their probes and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration in Melbourne on Sunday. "Our investigators across all three incidents are liaising with our counter-terrorism command," Commander Zorka Dunstan said. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. "We understand incidents of anti-Semitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened and vulnerable," Cmdr Dunstan said. The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said. "If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said. "This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do." Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the alleged synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and slammed the attacks on the restaurant and business as unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism. "Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X. "There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia. "The Australian government must do more to fight this poisonous disease."
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
'Shocking' attacks leave Jewish community fearful
Jewish communities are on edge after separate alleged anti-Semitic attacks on a synagogue and two other locations in one night, as police step up patrols and counter-terrorism officers stand ready. Twenty congregants were forced to flee a synagogue in East Melbourne on Friday night after a bearded man in his 30s allegedly doused the building's front door with flammable liquid before setting it alight. Police said they were lucky no one was injured in the targeted act of anti-Semitism on the same night when protesters allegedly smashed a window, flipped tables and threw chairs outside Israeli restaurant Miznon in the CBD. The group of protesters had splintered from a larger demonstration in the city before making their way to the establishment in Hardware Lane, where they allegedly chanted "death to the IDF", referring to the Israel Defence Force. A 28-year-old protester was arrested for hindering police, as detectives sift through CCTV as part of investigations. Hours later, offenders allegedly spray-painted three cars and a wall outside a Greensborough business in Melbourne's northeast before setting fire to the vehicles, destroying one and damaging two. Police said there were "inferences of anti-Semitism" and that the business had been "subjected to pro-Palestinian activity" in the past 12 months. Detectives have issued a photo of a man they wish to speak to over the synagogue attack. They say they are not aware of any links between the three incidents as they continue their probes and have flagged a review of their response to a pro-Palestine demonstration in Melbourne on Sunday. "Our investigators across all three incidents are liaising with our counter-terrorism command," Commander Zorka Dunstan said. None of the incidents have been declared terrorism-related but the force is increasing patrols around the synagogue and in the city's southeast. "We understand incidents of anti-Semitism can leave communities feeling targeted, threatened and vulnerable," Cmdr Dunstan said. The attack on the 150-year-old temple was the 10th firebombing the Australian Jewish community has experienced in the past 12 months, Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said. "If you think about terrorism as creating terror or fear, then yes, it is a form of terrorism," he said. "This is a pattern of behaviour designed to create fear amongst the Jewish community, which it will not do." Anti-Defamation Commission's Dvir Abramovich said diners were terrorised and Melbourne "stopped being a safe place for Jews" for one night. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the alleged synagogue arson as a "cowardly" act of violence and anti-Semitism and slammed the attacks on the restaurant and business as unacceptable. The federal government has offered federal police and security and intelligence agency support to investigators. "Those responsible for these shocking acts must face the full force of the law," he said. The attacks come seven months after a blaze destroyed two buildings at the Adass Israel Synagogue in the city's south and forced worshippers inside to flee. No charges have been laid, although counterterrorism police have raided multiple properties as part of that investigation. Israel's foreign minister condemned Friday's attacks and demanded Australian do more to combat anti-Semitism. "Israel stands firmly with the Jewish community in Australia," Gideon Sa'ar posted on social platform X. "There have been too many anti-Semitic attacks in Australia. "The Australian government must do more to fight this poisonous disease."
Sky News AU
12 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Fresh wave of antisemitic attacks creates ‘simmering rage' in Jewish community
Executive Council of Australian Jewry Co-CEO Alex Ryvchin says there's a 'simmering rage' in the Jewish community after recent antisemitic attacks in Melbourne. 'It's an atrocity, it's a horrific thing to have members of the Jewish community in their place of worship … and to have someone try to burn the place down,' Mr Ryvchin told Sky News Australia. 'It makes me furious, and there's a simmering rage in the Jewish community at the moment.'
