GLOBAL – A pro-Israel activist is suing a pro-Palestinian restaurant in Sydney, Australia, for defamation, claiming he was vilified after the eatery's social media posts alleged he tried to manufacture an antisemitic incident. The case, which stems from a controversial undercover media operation, underscores the intense and far-reaching social fallout of the Middle East conflict, resonating in nations like Kenya where the issue remains a subject of public and diplomatic debate.

The lawsuit was filed in August 2025 by Ofir Birenbaum against Hesham El Masry, the owner of Cairo Takeaway, and staff member Talaat Yehia. According to court documents, the legal action follows an incident in February 2025 when Birenbaum visited the restaurant wearing a Star of David cap and necklace, accompanied by reporters from News Corp’s Daily Telegraph. The operation was reportedly dubbed “undercover Jew” internally by the newspaper.

In the aftermath, Cairo Takeaway published social media posts, which have since been deleted, implying Birenbaum's visit was intended to “stir up controversy” and provoke a confrontation for a news story. One post alleged, “It is very easy to infer that they had attended Cairo Takeaway along with the instigator in an attempt to manufacture a story.”

Birenbaum’s statement of claim argues these posts were defamatory, implying he made “baseless accusations of antisemitism against staff.” He claims the incident and subsequent social media commentary led to him being “shunned and vilified” and resulted in a workplace investigation against him.

The restaurant later retracted a number of its allegations and issued an apology. In a clarifying post, the restaurant acknowledged that some of the material it published was inaccurate, attributing the error to the “extreme upset and distress” caused by what it termed a “divisive and distressing stunt.” The restaurant also confirmed that Birenbaum did not make specific provocative statements that had been initially attributed to him.

Global Tensions, Local Echoes

This legal battle in Sydney is a microcosm of how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is increasingly inflaming tensions in diaspora communities worldwide. The use of undercover journalism, social media allegations, and subsequent defamation lawsuits illustrates a new frontier in the global information war surrounding the conflict. The editor of the Daily Telegraph, Ben English, later stated the newspaper “never intended to provoke an incident” but acknowledged its “approach could have been better handled.” The stated goal was to report on the rise of antisemitism in Sydney.

For a Kenyan audience, the case serves as a critical case study. Kenya officially maintains a diplomatic position supporting a two-state solution to the conflict, a stance recently codified into law. The country hosts diplomatic missions from both Israel and Palestine and has historically navigated a complex relationship with both sides. However, the conflict often elicits strong reactions from the Kenyan public, with active pro-Palestinian solidarity movements and vocal support for Israel from other quarters. Protests, public lectures, and social media campaigns related to the conflict are common in the country.

While no incident of this nature has been recorded in Kenya, the underlying dynamics are highly relevant. The potential for social media to be used to frame narratives, levy serious accusations, and create public division is a significant concern. This Australian case highlights the severe personal and professional consequences that can arise when global political conflicts intersect with local community interactions and media ethics.

As of Friday, 1 November 2025, the respondents had not yet filed their defence. Lawyers for the restaurant stated they had attempted to settle the matter peacefully out of court. The case continues to be a focal point for discussions on media ethics, activism, and the spillover effects of geopolitical conflicts.