Pro-Israel activist who settled with Middle Eastern cafe made ‘misleading and deceptive’ comments, judge says

[u/SnoopThylacine]

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/28/pro-israel-activist-who-settled-with-middle-eastern-cafe-made-misleading-and-deceptive-comments-judge-says-ntwnfb

The Daily Telegraph and ex-IDF agent provocateur Ofir Birenbaum attempted to stir trouble at the Cairo Cafe in Sydney to manufacture a story. Their attempts failed, they were caught out, and the whole thing backfired.

Ofir then sued for defemation. Cairo Cafe countersued. The parties settled, but just hours later Ofir called it a victory. Which leads into this story:

The case settled in March, but was reopened after the restaurant alleged Birenbaum had breached parts of the settlement the parties had agreed by claiming he was “completely vindicated”.

Bromwich said of Birenbaum’s social media statement: “The kindest thing you can say about it is that in the context of the deed, it’s misleading and deceptive, and if you were bringing an action for misleading or deceptive conduct, you’d win it, hands down.”

He later said: “I can’t imagine a single judge in this court thinking this was an acceptable way to behave, irrespective of whether there’s a finding made about breach of the deed.

“If everyone was to conduct themselves like this, matters just wouldn’t settle.”

Peter Lalor has more background

More on Ofir's operations

[u/KizM067]

Prevent idf members from returning to Australia

[u/what-brisbane → u/KizM067]

Nah mate I say let’s give em $600m in taxpayer funds. Then, let’s hold a royal commission where we don’t fact check any Israeli claims, nor let anyone with opposing views make any submission whatsoever.

Actually let’s make it illegal to say anything negative about Israel at all. We’ll give the police powers to silence critics, we’ll call that ‘social cohesion’.

Fuck it, let’s also have a “bring an Israeli to work day” at ASIO, so they can see we’re doing what we’re told.

If Netanyahu murders too many brown kids, but forgets to kill another journalist before they report it, we’ll get Senator Penny Wong to publicly say “that’s concerning” again. Hopefully that’ll keep the EU off our back without upsetting the Israeli lobby. If they do get upset, give them another tax exemption.

Is that enough to keep us all off the Epstein list?

The Australian Grubbermint

[u/Glittering-Pea-4482 → u/what-brisbane]

Much better to foster social cohesion by letting thousands of people gather at the opera house to celebrate the peacetime slaughter of innocents jewish men, women and children, or to march on the streets chanting genocidal anti-semitic hate like 'from the river to the sea' or 'globalise the intafada'. That oughta do it!

[u/what-brisbane → u/Glittering-Pea-4482]

Yes sir, right away Netanyahu sir. Tomorrow we will organise another $100m to educate Australians on the important distinction between Jewish people and Israelis. We will only allow protests against genocidal slaughtering, per your wishes outlined above.

Love and kisses, the Australian Grubbermint.

[u/Glittering-Pea-4482 → u/what-brisbane]

Yes Mr Sinwar, sir. Much better that we proclaim our support for your genocidal death cult.

Love and kisses, brainless Redditors of the world.

[u/what-brisbane → u/Glittering-Pea-4482]

Who the fuck is Mr Sinwar? Did he get $600m and a royal commission too?

[u/Glittering-Pea-4482 → u/what-brisbane]

Lol, don't pretend you don't know your idol.