Burgertory owner charged over anti-Zionist chant
Hash Tayeh faces potential prison time for statements at pro-Palestinian rallies
The owner of the Burgertory restaurant chain, Hashem Tayeh, has been charged with four counts of “using insulting words in public” following his repeated statement that “all Zionists are terrorists” at a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne’s CBD last May.
Police laid the charges on Friday for utterances made during the demonstration.
The offence carries penalties of up to two months imprisonment for a first offence and six months for three or more offences.
The case marks what is believed to be the first instance where political speech has been deemed a criminal offence under the “insulting” law, which is typically applied to cases involving abusive language directed at police officers.
Tayeh, who has emerged as a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian movement following the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, has vowed to contest the charges.
“I will fight these charges with everything I have,” he told The Age newspaper.
“I have never supported the harming or killing of men, women, and children – no matter their faith or background.”
Tayeh added, “Criticising a regime that commits acts of terror is not a crime. It is a fundamental right, a cornerstone of democracy, and political censorship has no place in Australia.”
This is not his first encounter with law enforcement over his protest activities.
Last year, Tayeh was arrested but not charged regarding allegations of inciting hatred against Jewish people in violation of the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act.
Zionism Victoria Executive Director Zeddy Lawrence highlighted the impact of such rhetoric on the Jewish community.
“Given the overwhelming majority of Jews in Victoria, Australia and, indeed, the world would identify as Zionists, besmirching the latter is akin to painting a target on the former,” Lawrence said.
“And tragically the spike in antisemitism on these shores, which has shamed Australia globally, is indicative of where misrepresenting the truth about Zionism can lead.”
The weekly protests Tayeh participated in have now been reduced to monthly rallies after running for 71 consecutive weeks.
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