Restaurant owner savagely abused for supporting Jewish community
Verbal and physical abuse is on the rise in the wake of the Israel Hamas war and it is engulfing well known hospitality institutions.
The Mediterranean Greek Tavern in Elsternwick is the latest venue to come under fire after posting a message in support of his Jewish customers.
Co-owner Perry Le Greco told news.com.au that he was “blown away” by the reaction.
Greco left a message of support for the Jewish community in a local Facebook group that read: “To all our Jewish customers, we are thinking of you in these difficult times.
We hope that your family and friends are safe back home in Israel. The events of the past few days have been hard to watch and our thoughts and prayers are for the safety of all. The Jewish community have been fantastic friends over the last 22 years to our humble Mediterranean Greek Tavern.”
The backlash has been savage, highlighting a rise in antisemitism across the country.
Greco lost 90 per cent of bookings after the post, claiming many were fake bookings.
However, it was the vitriol levelled at him, which included abusive phone calls and messages, that was most disturbing.
“I was showing some compassion and humanity, nothing else and I had people calling me a ‘f***ing dog’ and saying ‘You’ve chosen a side you f***ing bastard’ and calling me a ‘f***ing Jew lover’,” he told news.com.au.
What shocked Greco the most was the origin of the abuse, which did not come from Palestinians or members of the Lebanese community.
It was from “very well spoken Australian people”.
“That was the most frightening part of it,” he said.
Mr Le Greco said the following week bookings were down 80 per cent.
“When I opened the book yesterday we had no one booked for the week. That never happens.”
Local MP and Victorian Shadow Minister for several portfolios David Southwick came to Greco’s aid when he explained the plight of the business on a Melbourne radio program yesterday.
Greco said the response was overwhelming and he was left shortstaffed due to the response.
“I thank the community because what they’ve done has blown me away.”
Greco did warn of tensions growing in the local area which has a large Jewish population.
“There’s an antisemitic feeling that is festering at the moment,” he said. “The Prime Minister needs to be speaking about this.”
Jonathan Jackson, 2nd November 2023
