Australian Salon Owner Kicks Out Israeli Customer, Cites Genocide
From curls to contempt: a Melbourne salon’s anti-Israeli tirade ignites fury, lawsuits, and a landlord’s boot.
Twitter
An Israeli man seeking a haircut at Juniper Salon in Bentley, Melbourne, was expelled after the owner, Katrina, identified his accent and branded him a “baby killer” responsible for “genocide in Gaza.” The incident, exposed through a viral confrontation by Jewish Australian journalist Avi Yemini, has fueled protests, legal threats, and a landlord’s vow to evict the salon, spotlighting a surge in antisemitism linked to the Israel-Gaza war.
The Israeli, a local resident, booked an appointment at Juniper Salon, known for specializing in curly hair. “I saw she specialized in curly hair here,” he told Yemini. “I booked for Monday at 12:00. She heard my accent, asked where I’m from. I said Israel, and she told me, ‘You can leave.’” Katrina escalated, shouting, “You’re a baby killer,” and slammed the door, declaring Israelis unwelcome. Yemini, from Rebel News, booked an appointment to confront her, capturing the exchange on camera.
“She admitted she kicked him out for being Israeli,” Yemini said. When challenged on Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act, which prohibits nationality-based discrimination, Katrina retorted, “Israelis aren’t a race,” and repeated, “They were a baby killer. Now, off.” She falsely claimed the man was in the “Israeli offense force,” ignoring Israel’s compulsory national service.
Yemini pressed her hypocrisy, noting the salon’s “progressive” branding, with Instagram posts proclaiming, “All the hate in the world is sold to you. All the love in the world is free,” and welcoming trans people. “Are Jewish and Israeli trans people safe with you here?” he asked. Katrina’s response, “Hell yeah. Look at my stickers. Um, definitely not”, exposed her selective inclusivity.
Yemini remarked, “She loves everyone, but hates Israelis… She’s full of hate.” A client, unaware of Katrina’s views, was shocked, revealing her Israeli heritage: “My mom’s Israeli, and I’m proud of my heritage… I wouldn’t feel comfortable here now.” Another client, present post-October 7, 2023, noted the left’s growing intolerance: “I always thought I was leftwing, but after October 7th, I realized the left turned against us.”
The salon’s landlord, furious, vowed to evict Katrina, citing prior issues and her “proud anti-Zionist” stance, which Yemini criticized: “Anti-Zionists believe they’re morally superior, but don’t know Zionism is intrinsic to Judaism.” The Israeli man plans to sue, potentially facing Katrina with a $100,000 fine and anti-discrimination training.
Hundreds of Jewish, Israeli, and local supporters protested outside, with organizers declaring, “This blatant antisemitism won’t pass silently.” Social media erupted, with comments on Yemini’s video demanding justice: “Boycott this business!” and “Hamas is responsible, not Israel. FREE THE HOSTAGES.” The incident, amid Australia’s rising anti-Israel sentiment, evidenced by synagogue burnings, parallels global trends, as antisemitism becomes increasingly "fashionable".