‘If you haven’t been, you’re missing out!’
Israel's ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon showed solidarity by visiting the Brisbane restaurant.
Israel’s ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon last week showed solidarity by visiting the Yababa restaurant in Brisbane, which was the target of online antisemitism in October. Maimon posted a photo on social media at the Israeli restaurant together with Israeli-born proprietor Michael Lenga and Paul Myers, vice-president of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies (QJBD) on November 23.
“In Brisbane visiting Yababa restaurant with the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies after the small business was the target of an antisemitic hate crime,” he said. “We support Michael and his delicious Israeli food. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out!”
Lenga posted on social media, “We were so honoured to have Israel’s ambassador in Australia visiting us. Thank you Mr Maimon for your support.”
Two days earlier, QJBD president Jason Steinberg had visited the restaurant along with Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and councillor Peter Matic.
The online slurs directed at the restaurant in October included, “@Yababa Israeli food is stolen Palestinian culture. You bury Palestinians then sell their food off as your own, You are not welcome” and “What, stolen and soaked in blood? Sounds tempting. (There is no such thing as Israeli food).”
The building was also hit by a graffiti attack last year.
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