Police charge three people over Miznon Israeli restaurant chaos
An anti-Israel activist has been stood down from her St Vincent’s Hospital job after being photographed during a chaotic attack on Melbourne’s Miznon restaurant.
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An unruly anti-police and anti-Israel protester who was snapped sticking her middle finger up during a chaotic attack on an Israeli restaurant has been stood down from her job at one the state’s busiest hospitals.
Jemima Demanuele, a prominent pro-Palestine activist, has been dropped from her role transferring patients at St Vincent’s Hospital after she was caught flipping off terrified staff and patrons amid the violent ambush at Miznon on Friday night.
Ms Demanuele was part of a group of about 20 activists who ambushed staff and diners at the popular Hardware Lane restaurant, chanting “death to the IDF”.
The busy CBD hospital told the Herald Sun she had been stood down pending a full investigation into her alleged conduct.
“St Vincent’s is aware of social media content connecting a staff member with a protest that took place at a Melbourne CBD restaurant on Friday night,” a spokesperson said.
“St Vincent’s is a health organisation founded on love and compassion.
“All patients – whatever their backgrounds and beliefs – are welcome and safe in our services, and we have zero tolerance for any behaviour that interferes with people’s right to feel safe while going about their lives.”
The Herald Sun can also reveal that Ms Demanuele, who regularly appears at weekly protests, has previously been charged over her anti-social behaviour.
She was hauled in front of the Magistrates Court in May for charges including obstructing an emergency worker on duty and behaving in an offensive manner in public.
It’s understood she received a good behaviour bond, with no conviction.
When the Herald Sun called Ms Demanuale for comment she hung up.
On Tuesday, Victoria Police revealed three of Ms Demanuele’s fellow activists had been charged over the chaotic incident at Miznon after they were arrested in a sweep of warrants by detectives from Melbourne CIU.
They are a 28-year-old Essendon woman, a 48-year-old Footscray woman and a 50-year-old Richmond man.
All have been charged with assault, affray, riotous behaviour and criminal damage.
Ms Demanuele has not been arrested or charged over the incident.
Miznon came under attack from protesters who forced their way in after allegedly breaking away from an anti-police demonstration nearby.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the owners said the incident on Friday evening had a “profound impact on our restaurant and staff”.
“The actions of a few, caused much distress to our customers and to neighbouring restaurant patrons and staff,” they said.
In the days leading up to the attack, anti-Israel activists had called for people to boycott the restaurant, accusing the owner Shahar Segal of “supporting and legitimising” atrocities against Gazans through his work for the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
“While others have chosen to speak about who we are and decided we are a legitimate target for protest, we want to be clear about who we are, in our words,” the statement from Miznon continued.
“All our staff and customers are coming from different backgrounds and cultures.
We respect everyone’s right to their own nationality and religion.
“We ask for the same.”
Jewish community advocates condemned their behaviour in the aftermath of the incident.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry president Daniel Aghion said they had crossed the line with their actions.
“Any of these freedoms has to have natural limits and the limit is when they cause harm to other Australians,” he said.
“Although they (Miznon) serve Israeli food, it’s an Australian business staffed by Australians. “Think about what you are doing to other Australians.”
The incident came on the same night an East Melbourne synagogue was set alight and three cars incinerated in an arson attack at a Greensborough company with Israeli links.
At the No Police at Protests rally earlier in the night, Ms Demanuele had accused officers of assaulting her protester mates as she called for an end to “police violence”.
“Cops do not keep us safe, we keep us safe,” she said.
“I am witness to police violence, my friends have been brutally assaulted by the police and I have been subject to violence by misogynists and police myself.”
It’s understood that police were directed not to engage with protesters during an earlier No Police at Protests rally to ensure they did not agitate the crowd.
Police sources said while officers were not present when the activists initially stormed the restaurant they arrived within minutes of a call for help.
The force is now reviewing the overall police response as part of an incident debrief.
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