The Daily Telegraph has apologised to Cairo Takeaway, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Sydney, for causing distress after sending pro-Israel activist Ofir Birenbaum as part of an 'undercover Jew' operation. The apology was published as part of an agreed joint statement to resolve a legal dispute between the restaurant, Birenbaum, and the newspaper.
In the joint statement, Cairo Takeaway accepted that Birenbaum was 'polite to staff' and apologised unreservedly for false and defamatory statements made about him on social media. The Daily Telegraph also acknowledged that entering the restaurant without notice to see if Birenbaum would be treated differently caused distress, and apologised for it.
However, hours after the statement was published, Birenbaum posted a personal statement claiming 'the truth wins' and that he was 'completely vindicated'. His lawyer, Rebekah Giles, called it 'an important win for Ofir Birenbaum and the Australian Jewish community'.
Lawyers for Cairo Takeaway responded, accusing Birenbaum and his lawyer of making statements inconsistent with the agreed joint statement 'in both word and spirit'. The restaurant's lawyers stated that nothing inconsistent with the joint statement was agreed to be published, and they dispute Birenbaum's characterisation of the settlement.
The original dispute began in February when Birenbaum visited the restaurant wearing a Star of David cap and necklace alongside Daily Telegraph reporters. The 'undercover Jew' operation made international headlines after it backfired. Birenbaum later launched defamation proceedings against the restaurant, which countersued for trespassing. The exact details of the settlement remain confidential.
