Palestinian activist and burger boss Hash Tayeh to run for local council

Burgertory boss Hash Tayeh has declared “we must stand up and take action” as he announced his bid to become a councillor.

Palestinian activist and burger boss Hash Tayeh has declared he will run for local council.

Mr Tayeh, who founded restaurant chain Burgertory, has announced he will run for Merri-bek City Council as an independent candidate in the October local council election.

“Through the injustices I’ve experienced over the past 10 months, I’ve realised that simply sitting back and asking ‘why me?’ won’t lead to change,” he told the Herald Sun.

“Instead, we must stand up and take action, stepping into roles where we can genuinely make a difference, striving for equality and bringing about real, positive change.”

“There has been an overwhelming amount of support, more than I anticipated.

“I hope this gives others confidence to step up and run in their local councils.

Hash Tayeh has announced plans to run for local council. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Mr Tayeh did not reveal his policies, nor whether he will run on a ticket with other like-minded candidates.

He does not live in the City of Merri-bek, but owns a business in the municipality, which means he is eligible to run.

The Herald Sun understands that if unsuccessful at the local council election, Mr Tayeh may consider running for parliament.

Mr Tayeh is running as an independent candidate for Merri-bek City Council. Picture: Instagram

One of his Burgertory stores in Caulfield was last year set alight in a targeted attack as tensions surrounding the conflict in the Middle East grew.

He then became a “person of interest” after Victoria Police received a complaint over alleged anti-Semitic comments made at one of the pro-Palestine protests in Melbourne’s CBD earlier this year.

He was asked to present himself to Fawkner police station, but was ultimately quizzed at the Moonee Valley station.

It is understood no charges have been laid against Mr Tayeh.

Mr Tayeh’s Caulfield restaurant was torched last year.

It caused enormous damage to his store.

Mr Tayeh has been extremely vocal at dozens of pro-Palestine protests. Picture: Olivia Jenkins

In a video posted to Instagram on Wednesday, Mr Tayeh said running for local council is “something I never thought I would ever do”.

“Since this genocide in Palestine and these attacks against me and watching the people of our community be smeared and attacked over and over again, I have realised that my purpose is greater than just running a business,” he said.

“My purpose is to be a part of the system and to try and change it from the inside.

“I want to be a councillor that can change things from the inside

“I want to be a councillor that represents all people.

“I want to be someone that truly makes a difference.”