Jews protest at Bentleigh hair salon over alleged discrimination
Around 150 gather after Israeli customer was refused service and subjected to verbal abuse.
Around 150 people gathered outside Juniper Hair Salon in the Melbourne suburb of Bentleigh on Monday evening following allegations that the salon owner refused service to an Israeli customer and subjected him to verbal abuse.
The protest, organised by Jewish community group Lions of Zion, took place at 5pm outside the salon in response to the incident that occurred the previous Monday.
The Israeli man, who prefers not to be named, told The AJN what happened when he attended his booked appointment.
“I just came to cut my hair on Monday. The owner asked me where I’m from, because I had an accent. I said, I’m Israeli. And she said, I’m sorry I can’t cut your hair. And when I left, she called me a baby killer,” he said.
The customer said he intends to pursue legal action, saying he was determined to make sure no one – Israeli or otherwise – has to go through what he experienced.
Under Australian anti-discrimination law, refusing service based on nationality or ethnic origin can attract penalties exceeding $100,000.
Police were called during the original incident.
Lions of Zion announced the demonstration as a peaceful protest against what they described as antisemitism and a demand for accountability.
Speaking on 3AW radio, Lions of Zion spokesperson Isaac Balbin said the behaviour was intolerable.
Broadcaster Tom Elliott condemned the salon owner’s actions, saying, “Can you imagine the outcry if someone said I don’t like black people or I don’t like Indians or I don’t like you know whatever. I’m not going to serve you in my shop. I mean you’d be guilty of an offence and yet somehow when it’s directed against Israelis it seems to be okay.”
Lions of Zion described Monday’s demonstration as part of their ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism in the Melbourne community.