09-07-2025
Three people charged over the storming of Jewish restaurant Miznon in the heart of Melbourne on Friday evening
Three people have been charged after 20 masked protesters allegedly stormed a popular Jewish restaurant in Melbourne on Friday night.
The group of pro-Palestine activists allegedly ambushed shocked diners and staff at the Miznon restaurant on Hardware Lane about 8.15pm after splitting from a larger protest on Swanston Street.
Police allege several of them were then involved in an altercation, with chairs being thrown, tables overturned and the restaurant's glass door damaged.
Detectives from the Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit carried out a series of search warrants in connection with the incident on Tuesday, arresting three people at separate locations in Essendon, Footscray and Richmond.
All three have been charged with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage.
A 48-year-old woman from Footscray and a 28-year-old woman from Essendon were both bailed and will appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 25 September.
A 50-year-old man from Richmond, Arnold Antwany, was presented to Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday evening and was denied bail.
The prosecution told the court Mr Antwany was on bail at the time, having allegedly threatened to kill a member of the public who asked him to stop playing pro-Palestinian messages through a loudspeaker at a protest in April.
The magistrate pointed out one of the 50-year-old's bail conditions was to not attend the CBD from April 14, and yet he had now 'come into the city and deliberately and intentionally engage in protest of a racial nature,' The Australian reported the magistrate as saying.
The court heard that Mr Antwany had a verbal confrontation with a patron at Miznon and threw a chair in their direction.
The magistrate told the alleged offender that 'such behaviour adds fuel to the fire for further… racial and abusive behaviour in the community'.
The arrests come after the state government launched an anti-hate taskforce bringing together senior government ministers, Victoria Police, and representatives from the Jewish community.
Victoria Police has been criticised for its handling of the protest that preceded the confrontation at the Miznon restaurant, with reports indicating they were told not to confront the protesters.
Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has ordered a review into the force's handling of the incident.
Police are continuing to investigate the Hardware Lane incident and are encouraging anyone with information about those involved to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at
