Three people have been charged with assault and criminal damage in relation to the pro-Palestinian aggression in an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne on Friday, Victoria Police announced on Wednesday.
The charges come amid an investigation into the incident that took place in Miznon, an Israeli restaurant founded by Israeli chef Eyal Shani. According to the police statement, a group of about 20 protesters walked into the restaurant at approximately 8.15 p.m. “where members of the public were enjoying their evening.”
“It’s alleged several people in the group were involved in an affray where chairs were thrown [and] damage was caused to the glass door of the restaurant during the incident.”
Local reports claimed the protesters chanted “Death to the IDF,” threw food, smashed windows, and overturned tables.
This demonstration was organized by the Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance (WACA) – a pro-Palestinian activist group.
Detectives from the Melbourne Crime Investigation Unit conducted three search warrants on Wednesday and arrested three individuals: a 50-year-old man, a 48-year-old woman, and a 28-year-old woman. All three have been charged with assault, affray, riotous behavior, and criminal damage.
All three have been charged with assault, affray, riotous behaviour, and criminal damage
On Instagram, the WACA group claimed that Miznon was targeted because it is owned by Shahar Segal, an Israeli businessman and spokesperson for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), the Israel-US aid distribution force.
“Poised as ‘humanitarian aid’ to the 2.1 million Palestinians that Israel has been intentionally starving, the GHF has instead served as part of a trap to lure hungry Palestinians while the IO and American mercenaries slaughter people coming for bags of flour.”
The group also objected to its Miznon protest being covered in the same articles as the firebombing of the East Melbourne Synagogue, which occurred on the same day. “This is a cheap and irresponsible attempt to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Pro-Palestinian activists have never attacked places of worship, and we condemn such attacks.”
In a statement on Tuesday, Miznon Melbourne said, “The events on Friday evening had a profound impact on our restaurant and staff.
“The actions of a few caused much distress to our customers and to neighboring restaurant patrons and staff.”
It added that “while others have decided we are a legitimate target for protest,” it is a “restaurant, a place of hospitality, and of warmth and welcome.”
The restaurant asked for respect moving forward and thanked the community for its support.