Daily Telegraph apologises to Cairo Takeaway staff over Star of David cap stunt, but war of words follows
Updated ,first published
A new row has broken out between a Sydney cafe and a pro-Israel activist over an internally reported demonstration. Daily Telegraph He was declared a “secret Jew” just hours after the tabloid apologized for causing distress to inner-city restaurants and their staff.
Ofir Birenbaum entered Cairo Takeaway, a popular Egyptian restaurant in Newtown known for its public support of Palestine, wearing a Star of David hat. A. Telegram The journalist was on hand to capture any reaction.
Birenbaum later filed a defamation lawsuit in Federal Court against the restaurant for comments made after the incident. She returned fire with a cross claim against him.
TelegramThe company, which is not a party to the case, issued a joint statement with Birenbaum and Cairo Takeaway on Monday, saying the disputes were “resolved on confidential terms” and noting that “the parties hope that the fact of the resolution can serve as a positive example for others.”
In the statement, the News Corp channel apologized for causing distress to the cafe and its employees, and Cairo Takeaway apologized to Birenbaum.
It appeared to mark the end of the dispute, but further clarification shed a different light on this decision.
Birenbaum said in a separate statement Monday that he was “completely exonerated” by the agreement and that “[this] It was never a gimmick.’ Rather, he said, “It was legitimate public interest journalism at a time when antisemitism was escalating, visible and dangerous in Sydney.”
His lawyer, Rebekah Giles, said in her own statement that the settlement was a “significant win” for her client and the Australian Jewish community.
“Journalism in the public interest is important,” he said. “All credit must go to Ofir Birenbaum for participating in this exercise at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise.”
In response, Cairo Takeaway released a statement through its lawyers, O’Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors.
“Cairo Takeaway did not intend to make any statements regarding the confidential resolution of the legal dispute,” he said.
“A joint statement has been agreed between the parties and it has been specifically agreed that nothing inconsistent with this statement will be published.”
They said other statements were “inconsistent in both word and spirit with this joint statement.”
“Cairo Takeaway disputes Mr. Birenbaum’s classification of the operation he conducted. Daily Telegraph as ‘legitimate public interest journalism’.
“It’s hard to believe Daily Telegraph “If he now views the story as ‘legitimate public interest journalism’ we apologize for the distress it has caused the owner and staff of Cairo Takeaway.”
The restaurant’s owner, Hesham El Masry, said the subsequent statements were “disappointing”.
“We thought it would just be a joint statement and then we could get on with our lives,” he said.
Documents leaked to online media outlet cricket Shortly after the incident in February last year, it was revealed that the News Corp publication had edited the story under the name “HIDDEN JEW”.
According to an internal planning document, it was intended to lift the lid on “what it is like to be Jewish in Sydney” and suggested using “video goggles” to film interactions.
The incident caused an immediate stir and sparked headlines in news organizations beyond news organizations. Telegram. Video footage has emerged of a hospitality worker berating News Corp journalist Danielle Gusmaroli as she left the restaurant with a photographer and videographer.
birenbaum started Federal Court libel case against Cairo Takeaway in August last year. The case has been listed for a seven-day hearing from May 18.
Birenbaum denied the version of the event posted on the cafe’s Instagram page. He also denied wearing smart glasses to film the interaction.
In response, the cafe initiated a cross-claim against Birenbaum for alleged trespassing.
“On February 11, 2025, Jewish Ofir Birenbaum wearing a Star of David hat and pendant and Daily Telegraph “The newspaper entered the Cairo Takeaway in Newtown, resulting in an incident between Cairo Takeaway staff,” the joint statement said.
“All parties are pleased that the legal disputes arising from this incident have now been resolved on confidential terms.”
Cairo Takeaway said it “acknowledged that Mr. Birenbaum was polite to staff when he entered the premises and purchased a drink” and apologized unreservedly for “inaccurate and defamatory statements to the media, Instagram posts and comments made by the public” directed at him on his social media accounts.
“ Daily Telegraph Accepts that entering Cairo Takeaway without notice to see if Mr Birenbaum would be treated differently for the purpose of a story caused distress to the staff and owner of Cairo Takeaway.
“Daily Telegraph “We unreservedly apologize to Cairo Takeaway and its employees for causing this distress.”
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