Jewish-themed Sydney bakery closes, citing antisemitic threats, safety fears |
A Jewish-owned bakery in Sydney announced Wednesday that it is closing down due to near-constant antisemitic harassment and fears for staff and customers in the wake of the deadly mass shooting targeting a Hanukkah event at the city’s Bondi Beach.
Ed Halmagyi, a Jewish celebrity chef who owns Avner’s Bakery in the Surry Hills section of Sydney, said he was shutting the establishment after two years of being subject to threats and vandalism, including since Sunday’s attack, and reportedly told patrons he feared the eatery could be targeted by those seeking to “globalize” Palestinian terror.
“The world has changed. Our world has changed,” declared a poster displayed Wednesday in the window of the bakery, which sold bagels, babkas and other Jewish-themed foods.
“After two years of almost ceaseless antisemitic harassment, vandalism and intimidation directed at our little bakery, we have to be realistic about the threats that exist going forward,” the Avner’s announcement continued.
“Those concerns are now clearly more pressing and more serious. Even in the wake of this terrorist incident, threats have continued.”
Australia’s Jewish community has been reeling since two gunmen opened fire on a Chabad-hosted Hanukkah event at Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing