The news organization, the Daily Telegraph, acknowledged that an undercover operation carried out by one of its journalists could have been handled more effectively, as it resulted in an incident at a cafe in Sydney.
Ofir Birenbaum, a well-known figure in Sydney’s Jewish community, was accompanied by a senior journalist from the Daily Telegraph named Danielle Gusmaroli and a photographer when they visited Cairo Takeaway, a popular Egyptian restaurant on Enmore Road in Newtown.
Surveillance footage obtained by 9News shows Birenbaum, wearing identifiable clothing and glasses with a built-in camera, entering the establishment and ordering a hibiscus tea.
According to a chef at the cafe, Birenbaum allegedly made a provocative comment.
As he reached the door, it is alleged he asked a staff member if his presence was upsetting them because he was Jewish.
It’s alleged the exchange then led to a verbal altercation between cafe staff, onlookers, Birenbaum and the newspaper’s crew, who soon made an exit.
One woman began filming the newspaper team and Birenbaum, at one point saying: “You picked the wrong restaurant to f—— try this shit in.”
9News understands the Daily Telegraph also approached a Jewish organisation to partake in the story, but they declined.
The restaurant’s owner Hesham El Masry called police but after a three-day investigation, it was decided no crime had been committed.
Cairo Takeaway has posted pro-Palestine messages on its social media accounts and its exterior features a mural of a fist in the Palestinian flag’s colours by prominent street artist Scottie Marsh.
“We are a small community restaurant,” El Masry said.
“We accept everyone into our restaurant and respect all walks of life.”
This afternoon, the Daily Telegraph‘s editor Ben English said the publication “never intended to provoke an incident”.
“Like other media the Daily Telegraph has been reporting on the rise of antisemitism and investigating how it is affecting the daily lives of Jewish people in Sydney,” English said.
“The Telegraph never intended to provoke an incident at the Cairo Takeaway restaurant in Enmore, which was one of multiple venues across Sydney we visited, nor to report that its staff are antisemitic.
“The Daily Telegraph acknowledges our approach could have been better handled.”
Birenbaum has not responded to a 9News request for comment.
