A recent undercover operation by the Daily Telegraph in a Sydney café, Cairo Takeaway, has stirred controversy after leading to a confrontation involving Ofir Birenbaum, a notable figure in the local Jewish community. Birenbaum, accompanied by journalist Danielle Gusmaroli and a photographer, entered the café while wearing video-equipped glasses and a Star of David cap, ordering hibiscus tea.
Reports suggest he made a potentially provocative remark regarding his Jewish identity that sparked a verbal dispute with café staff and onlookers, prompting patrons to film the scene. The café’s chef recounted that Birenbaum asked if his presence was distressing for the staff due to his ethnicity. Following the incident, one bystander allegedly confronted the newspaper crew about their actions.
A leaked planning document indicated the stunt aimed to explore experiences of Jewish individuals in Sydney, although an approached Jewish organisation declined to participate. Despite the restaurant’s owner, Hesham El Masry, alerting the police, no crime was found after a thorough investigation. The Daily Telegraph‘s editor, Ben English, later acknowledged that the publication did not seek to provoke the incident and conceded that their approach could have been improved. Birenbaum has not yet responded to inquiries.