Burgertory owner reveals further ‘twisted act’ in open letter to police

A prominent Palestinian Australian activist says revelations police knew his Melbourne restaurant was allegedly burned down for political reasons has “ripped open” a festering wound, deepened by officers’ dismissal of a pig heart left at the restaurant’s door.

Hash Tayeh, who owns fast food chain Burgertory, has vented his anger in an open letter on social media platform X, after a story in The Age on Thursday revealed the accused alleged arsonist behind the attack on his restaurant allegedly told covert police officers the attack was linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Tayeh said the revelations were a “harsh reminder” of the injustice he has faced since the attack.

Burgertory’s Caulfield outlet was burned down in an arson attack on November 10, 2023.Credit: Simon Schluter

The brief in the case obtained by The Age showed undercover operatives gathered information suggesting the high-profile attack on the Caulfield restaurant on November 10 last year was connected to the violence in Gaza.

That was despite Victoria Police’s continued denial that the attack was racially, religiously or politically motivated. The force has declined numerous invitations to explain how it came to that conclusion.

“For over a year, Victoria Police has refused to recognise the campaign of terror that’s been waged against my business, Burgertory, as the hate-fuelled violence that it is,” Tayeh said in the letter addressed to Victoria Police.

“Last year, my store was firebombed – an act of arson and hatred that should have been taken as a serious threat to our safety. And yet, despite the severity, police downplayed the attack, stubbornly refusing to classify it as a hate crime, and refusing to pursue justice on our behalf.”

The firebombing was not the end, with police later dismissing a pig heart being dumped at Burgertory’s door as “just littering”, Tayeh said.

“This twisted act, meant to terrorise and demean, was brushed aside without investigation, leaving us with no recourse, no protection, and no support from those sworn to protect us,” he wrote.

The violence later hit closer to home with Tayeh’s house being targeted by a Molotov cocktail which exploded at his front door – an incident the Burgertory owner said police also downplayed as leaving “minor damage”.

He added he was arrested and questioned for incitement, “accused of spreading hate despite never speaking a single word against the Jewish community”.

“This year has been nothing short of hell, and my faith in the system meant to protect us is shattered. But Victoria Police, I will not stay silent. I am putting you on notice: I will exhaust every legal avenue to hold you accountable for your complicity, your failure, and the terror you allowed to continue,” Tayeh wrote.

“You tried to bury the truth, but now the truth is here, and you will answer for it. You are complicit.”

Tayeh would not comment further on the open letter on Thursday. Victoria Police would also not comment as the matter remained before the courts.

However, the force on Monday repeated its denial that the arson attack on Burgertory had a political or racial edge.

“Victoria Police does not believe the incident was racially, politically or religiously motivated. As the matter remains before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further,” a statement said.

The Burgertory arson attack destroyed the shop, causing about $450,000 worth of damage.

It came in the midst of rising tensions in the local community after Hamas’ attacks inside Israel on October 7, 2023, and the Israeli government’s bombardment of Gaza.

Tayeh has long maintained the firebombing was a hate crime or act of terror that followed weeks of harassment related to his stand on the conflict in Gaza.

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