Back in November, Burgertory’s Caulfield store was set alight. It’s CEO Hash Tayeh – a prominent Israel-hater who has also dished up antisemitism – claimed it was a hate crime, and although did not come out outright and allege it was a Jewish person behind the blaze, did even recently imply it was the work of “Zionists.”
At the same rally, somebody (presumably @Hashtayeh) blamed the arson of the #Burgertory story on "Zionists" even though indications are it was not a hate crime https://t.co/2B6CZzMobn https://t.co/Hrz1wDvy5l pic.twitter.com/SXOTzHRrRP
— (((David Lange))) (@Israellycool) January 14, 2024
And his supporters clearly did blame it on Jews, descending on the Jewish suburb of Caulfield (in a park right outside a synagogue, during Shabbat prayers, on the 85th anniversary of Kristallnacht no less).
Some in the mainstream media were also using headlines implying a link between the arson and Tayeh’s anti-Israel views, even while the report itself stated there was no suggestion the fire and his views were linked.
Now two people have been arrested over the arson, and it is clear it had nothing to do with “Zionists” or Jews.
Two men have been arrested over a suspicious fire that destroyed a business in Melbourne’s south-east last year.
Emergency services were called to a fire at Burgertory, a fast-food store on the corner of Glen Huntly and Hawthorn roads about 4:30am on November 10, 2023.
Victoria Police said the building was destroyed and the investigation revealed the fire was deliberately lit.
Following a lengthy investigation, a 27-year-old man and a 25-year-old man were arrested on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old was taken to hospital under police guard for injuries unrelated to his arrest.
“Both men are currently assisting police with enquiries, and arson-related charges are expected to be laid,” a police spokesperson said.
Moorabbin Investigation and Response Inspector Scott Dwyer said officers had been working diligently on the case and would hold those responsible to account.
“Not only did this blaze destroy a business, it also put innocent members of the public at risk of being injured,” he said.
The fire prompted a pro-Palestinian protest at a park near the burnt-out shop, which resulted in a fiery clash with pro-Israel supporters.
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Inspector Dwyer reiterated there is no evidence indicating the firebombing of the store was racially or politically motivated.
“We know this incident was not a hate crime; it wasn’t motivated by prejudice or politics,” he said.
Tayeh has not (yet) posted anything about this on his Instagram account, but I would want a full apology from him for implying Israel-supporters were behind it, especially considering there was never any evidence to suggest this. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see whether or not the perpetrators were members of Tayeh’s own community:
