Police orders ‘weaponised’ to shield activists, accused argues

A Jewish Sydneysider has ­accused pro-Palestine activists of ‘weaponising’ personal violence orders to trample debate after he had his movements restricted for confronting a restaurateur over anti-Zionist comments.

Ronnie Sternberg outside Waverley Local Court. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian

A Jewish Sydneysider has ­accused pro-Palestine activists of “weaponising” personal violence orders to trample debate after he had his movements restricted for confronting a restaurateur over anti-Zionist comments.

Commodities trader Ronnie Sternberg was forced into a court showdown with restaurateur Pablo Vargas after he was issued a personal violence order for ­attempting to complain about Mr Vargas posting “every day is f..k ­Israel day” on Instagram.

Mr Sternberg, 39, said it was “an affront to real victims of domestic violence” and signalled his intention to pursue Mr Vargas civilly following their criminal dispute.

In a police statement acquired by The Australian, Constable Edward Carroll, who took Mr Vargas’ initial testimony, outlined the alleged conduct of Mr Sternberg.

Ronnie Sternberg and his wife outside Waverley Local Court, speaking with his solicitor Stephen Alexander. Picture: Britta Campion

“Pablo stated that the unknown male had attended his restaurant looking for him and intimidating his employees. Pablo also stated that this then occurred again the following day but at a different business of his,” Constable Carroll wrote.

“Given the conduct of Sternberg, I was not satisfied there was sufficient evidence to proceed with a charge. I did however believe a personal violence order would remedy this situation and protect Pablo.” A police spokesman said officers could not discuss matters before the court. PVOs are instituted in cases where the defendant and protected person are not in a domestic ­relationship.

Mr Vargas, 44, is the co-founder of the Milpa Collective, a restaurant group that includes Bondi’s Taqiza and Carbon, along with Bar Lucia in Potts Point and Santa Catarina in Sydney’s CBD.

In a hearing at Waverley Local Court on December 5, judge Jacqueline Milledge ordered Mr Sternberg not to approach Mr Vargas or go within 20m of his home or his restaurants.

Speaking after the court decision, Mr Sternberg said he had gone to Taqiza on October 20 after seeing the post, but denied threatening Mr Vargas or making threatening calls to the venues.

He said he offered police ­access to his call records to verify this claim, though it was alleged police did not follow through on the offering.

Mr Sternberg did not deny he had intended to confront Mr Vargas over his “hateful” message, but said challenged Mr Vargas’ testimony.

Pablo Vargras in 2015. Picture: Stephen Cooper

“(Mr Vargas’ post) made its way around a tonne of WhatsApp groups in the community, and we were just really, really offended how a proprietor … can just spit on the community itself,” Mr Sternberg said.

“I saw his restaurant, and I said (to a staff member) what (Mr Vargas) said was ridiculous, completely outrageous and offensive to the people that support you, and the next thing I knew, the police were attending my house.”

Mr Sternberg said he believed his case could be a precedent for the application of AVOs without due process.

“I’m not an aggressive person. I had no criminal history, no history of violence. I was very angry, certainly very angry … but I’m not doing anything illegal. I’m not threatening anybody,” he said.

Mr Vargas was contacted for comment. The matter will return to court on February 6.

In a police statement, Mr Vargas alleges Mr Sternberg also attended his restaurant Carbon on October 19.

“I am afraid that the male will continue to come to the restaurants looking for me. I believe the male is violent and holds ­extremist ideologies,” his statement reads.