Charges laid amid restaurant’s distress over protest

A restaurant targeted by pro-Palestine protesters has revealed the “profound impact” the incident has had on its staff as police arrest and charge protesters.

The owners of an Israeli restaurant that was targeted by protesters have broken their silence, detailing the “profound impact” of the incident as police charge more people over the incident.

The demonstration outside Miznon in Melbourne’s CBD on Friday was one of several incidents targeting Melbourne’s Jewish community in recent days, with protesters smashing a window, upending tables and throwing chairs.

About 20 protesters converged on the restaurant, some chanting “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Force).

Police on Tuesday charged a 50-year-old Richmond man, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 28-year-old Essendon woman with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage after another person was arrested and then released for hindering police that night.

The restaurant said the actions of a few had caused much distress to customers, patrons and staff in neighbouring restaurants.

“The events on Friday evening had a profound impact on our restaurant and staff,” the owners said in an Instagram post.

“We are a restaurant, a place of hospitality, of warmth and welcome … we respect everyone’s right to their own nationality and religion. We ask for the same.”

Miznon added: “We would like to thank all those in Melbourne and beyond for the outpouring of well wishes and offers of support.

We do not intend to make any further statements. We want our cooking and hospitality to do the talking. We welcome anyone who wishes to dine with us with open arms.”

The group Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance has taken responsibility for the protest, claiming the venue was chosen because the owner was a spokesperson for an Israeli aid organisation that “weaponised aid”.

“While politicians in so-called Australia clutch their pearls over one meal that was interrupted, we ask people to refocus their attention on Israel’s genocidal reign of terror over the Palestinians,” the group said on Instagram.

Victoria Police has rejected claims its officers were told not to confront the protesters at the restaurant, and an independent officer will review the overall response.

A state task force has been announced to tackle hate and examine police powers after a string of incidents, including an arson on the East Melbourne Synagogue that forced 20 worshippers inside to flee.

NSW man Angelo Loras, 34, has been charged over the firebombing.

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley visited the synagogue on Tuesday, where she spoke to community members and inspected the damage.

She urged the prime minister to convene a national cabinet meeting of state and territory policing authorities and wants the government to reveal its plans to protect Jewish Australians.

Ms Ley said she supported a national anti-hate unit, but there had already been plenty of taskforces and talkfests.

Anthony Albanese has flagged more action from his government as it works with the Special Envoy on Antisemitism, but pushed back against hosting a national cabinet.

“Let’s be clear. What people want is not a meeting. They want action,” the prime minister told reporters in Hobart.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion urged Victorian authorities to disallow weekly pro-Palestine protests in their current form and bring in protest zones.

Premier Jacinta Allan labelled the weekly rally “odious” but said protesting was part of democracy.

Protest organisers stressed they were opposed to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and leaders needed to distinguish between the IDF and Australia’s Jewish community.

The Australian Palestine Advocacy Network condemned the “smear” against peaceful protesters and rejected efforts to undermine protest by fixating on slogans while Israel bombs refugee camps and blocks food aid.

Separate offenders on Saturday spray-painted cars with antisemitic “inferences” then set them alight in the city’s northeast, while a fourth incident involved offensive images spray-painted on pillars and walls near the Holocaust Museum in Elsternwick.

By: William Ton/AAP