‘We don’t need your kind here’
"I feel truly broken as a person and as a business owner," Cohen said in the video, describing a recent incident where a patron allegedly entered his store.
Members of the community have rallied to support an inner Melbourne business owner after he said he was targeted by a campaign of antisemitic harassment.
Tim Cohen, who has run Brunswick East Wine Store for the past decade, revealed in an emotional social media video last week that he will not renew his lease when it expires in August next year, citing ongoing harassment and intimidation he believes is motivated by his Jewish heritage.
“I feel truly broken as a person and as a business owner,” Cohen said in the video, describing a recent incident where a patron allegedly entered his store.
“And yes, they had blue hair, and they entered from the rear, and they’ve just got this glib, smug look on their face. And she just said, ‘We want you gone from this suburb. We don’t need your kind here.'”
His shop had the Hamas red triangle painted on it twice in recent months, one of which was accompanied by a warning not to buy there.
Cohen reported the incidents to police, the Merri-bek Council and the local state MP, Tim Read, Greens MP for Brunswick.
The police did not respond to his report, and while the council promised an investigation, they closed the case after a week without taking action.
Cohen is critical of Read, accusing him of inaction in the face of what he describes as targeted antisemitic behaviour from far-left activists.
Read responded by saying he has repeatedly condemned antisemitism.
“Targeting a business because it is Jewish-owned is antisemitic and completely unacceptable.
“I encourage people to be critical of Israel’s continued bombing of civilians without attacking Jewish people, many of whom are protesting Israel’s actions,” he told The AJN.
Read said he challenges the idea that criticising the Israeli government equates to antisemitism.
“It’s unfortunate to have seen such false allegations made about my colleagues and I, as anyone who has seen the social media posts will understand,” he said.
Cohen’s shop has been visited by Liberal MP Julian Leeser, together with Liberal parliamentary candidates Tim Wilson and Stephanie Hunt.
Leeser said on social media, “Rather than stand up for his Jewish constituents, the local federal member in this area Adam Bandt has done nothing but encourage the sort of abuse this business owner has copped.”
Member for Caulfield David Southwick said, “Yet again, so-called ‘anti-Zionists’ are outing themselves as the Jew-haters they truly are. As a Jewish community, it’s our job to support him, pop in for a glass of wine, and make sure Brunswick East Wine is here to stay.”
That’s exactly what happened last weekend, when many people from Melbourne’s Jewish community and several non-Jews showed support by visiting the shop.
There was a very positive atmosphere, with the shop packed out and doing a roaring trade.
Cohen said he was heartened to see the turnout and thanked all the people who have contacted him with messages of support.
He is now responding to requests from interstate and overseas to set up a way for people outside Melbourne to purchase his wine.
That may not be enough to save his business though, as the lease is up in August and Cohen said he did not plan to renew it.
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