Thread by @fahad_s_ali

This is my understanding of what transpired at Cairo Takeaway today.

This morning, a man visited the restaurant and ordered a tea. He was wearing a cap with an Israel flag emblem and a Star of David pendant. He was served with no fuss and received his tea. /1

After receiving the tea he ordered, he lingered in the restaurant and remained standing near the counter. At this point, the server asked if there was anything else he wanted.

He replied: “do you have a problem with me because I’m Jewish?” /2

The server was shocked and completely taken aback. She said “excuse me?” The man continued: “you’re intimidating me, you’re making me feel unsafe”. /3

The server was upset and tried to disengage by walking outside. What she didn’t know was that a full camera crew from the Daily Telegraph was waiting in ambush. /4

This crew was made up of “journalist” Danielle Gusmaroli, photographer Rohan Kelly, and video producer Jeremy Span. It is very easy to infer that they had attended Cairo along with the instigator in an attempt at manufacturing a story. /5

The instigator, I’m led to believe, is Ofir Birenbaum, who is associated with the Australian Jewish Association, a far-right hate group. /6

It’s my understanding that Birenbaum repeatedly taunted the server by saying “shalom” — assuming, I imagine, that he could goad her into an antisemitic outburst — and at one point said words to the effect of “I hope your restaurant gets blown up”. /7

The Daily Telegraph crew seemed to recognise that they were in too deep and tried to pull Birenbaum away. He attempted to stand his ground and became confrontational with @TalaatSYehia, trying to provoke a fight by saying things like “do you want to start something?” /8

@TalaatSYehia It didn’t work: @TalaatSYehia remained calm and reiterated his request for the instigator to leave. Birenbaum then came in very close while sipping on his tea and said words to the effect of: “you Arabs make good tea.” /9

@TalaatSYehia Birenbaum was finally pulled away from the scene by the Daily Telegraph crew. My understanding is that police later attended and informed the restaurant staff that no crime had been committed. /10

@TalaatSYehia This is an extraordinary provocation by a far-right hate group working in concert with a major news organisation. The Daily Telegraph attempted to fabricate an antisemitic incident by sending a Zionist provocateur into an Arab restaurant. /11

@TalaatSYehia Needless to say, the restaurant staff are shaken. The server, a casual worker and a mother, was in severe distress. This is appalling and our unions ought to speak up against the intimidation of workers. I note @sallymcmanus hasn’t replied to my offer to meet. /12

@TalaatSYehia @sallymcmanus Cairo Takeaway is a really wonderful place. I really encourage you to show them some love; please go in and get a feed (best falafel in Sydney and that’s Fahad certified) and thank the wonderful staff. Show them love and solidarity. /13

@TalaatSYehia @sallymcmanus As for the claims I’ve made in this thread: I’m not a journalist. This is an extraordinary story. I now leave it to people much more qualified to investigate and report. Will the Australian press report on anything critical of Zionism? Don’t hold your breath. /14