38-year-old Israeli-Australian Ofir Birenbaum made international headlines last year when he was falsely accused by staff at a café in Newtown of staging and manufacturing an antisemitic incident. The accusations went viral - destroying his life.

THE ACCUSATIONS

The café alleged that Ofir:

(Excerpt of one of the five social media posts from the café on the incident)

These accusations spread rapidly across social media and global news platforms. Ofir was condemned by commentators, politicians, community leaders, and even the Director-General of Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Mike Burgess. He became the target of a torrent of hatred and abuse.

THE TWIST

Here’s the kicker – Ofir’s visit was recorded on video and none of these things actually happened.

That day, Ofir had been accompanied by journalists from a Sydney newspaper documenting the everyday experiences of Australian Jews amid unprecedented antisemitism.

After visiting Newtown Synagogue, he entered the café, politely ordered a hibiscus tea, and left.

ACCOUNTABILITY

When the café’s accusations went viral, Ofir’s lawyers wrote to the owner on 14 February outlining what actually occurred and requesting a retraction and deletion of the posts. The request was ignored.

(Letter from Ofir's lawyers to the café on 14th February 2025)

That very day, the story made national news.

The café posted images of Ofir on their social media calling on their supporters to “make him famous”.

(Post from the café’s owner Facebook account)

Antisemitic abuse and hate speech filled the comments of these posts. The story was even circulated by Hama$-affiliated Quds News Network.

NSW Police then raided Ofir’s home. No charges were laid.

A week later — and only after footage of the visit was publicly released — the café ultimately conceded that the accusations were not true.

(Excerpt of one of the five social media posts from the café on the incident)

“PROVOCATION” FOR BEING VISIBLY JEWISH

Despite retracting their version of events, the café’s justification for their accusations is simple: provocation.

Ofir was wearing a Star of David on his cap and a chain around his neck — a gift from his late father. Ofir is the grandson of four Holocaust survivors.

The café’s chef told police: “This seems to be intentional provocation… What if it had been an Arab going into a Jewish owned business?”

The café, its owner, its chef all have posted offensive material on their social media accounts.

(Post from the café’s chef X account)

(Post from the café’s owner X account)

(Post liked and shared from the café’s Instagram account)

THE LEGAL BATTLE

Ofir has commenced defamation proceedings in the Federal Court against the café, its owner, Hesham el Masry and its chef, Talaat Yehia. In response, the café is now suing Ofir for trespass arguing that he entered the café for improper purposes. Both claims are listed together for hearing in May before Justice Bromwich. Senior counsel and defamation expert Kieran Smark has been briefed to appear for Ofir. The cafe has briefed Matthew Richardson (the senior counsel who recently represented Bruce Lehrmann and Ben Roberts-Smith).

THE HUMAN COST

The impact on Ofir and his wife has been devastating.

In Ofir’s words:

“This has been a living nightmare and has inflicted such profound pain and anguish. For months we have been living in fear for our lives, our livelihoods and our place in our community. The most painful part was seeing friends, family and members of the Jewish community believe this account — it broke my heart.”

HELP OFIR CLEAR HIS NAME

Ofir is a founder of Together with Israel and has been a proud active advocate for the Jewish community since October 7. Now, he needs his community to stand with him. Ofir is fighting not just for his reputation, but for his livelihood, his family, and his place in the community.

Please donate, share, and help Ofir clear his name.

Any surplus funds will be donated to the Jewish Centre for Law and Justice who assist persons impacted by antisemitic acts.