| Hasheam Tayeh | |
| Birth Date: | c. 1990-1991[1] |
| Known For: | CEO of Burgertory. Pro Palestine activism. |
Hasheam Tayeh, commonly referred to as Hash Tayeh, is a Palestinian-Australian businessman and activist from Melbourne, Victoria. Tayeh is the founder and chief executive officer of burger restaurant chain Burgertory.[2]
Tayeh, along with his family, fled the Gulf War in Jordan at a young age.[3] Several years later, with his dad getting a job opportunity, he along with his family relocated to Qatar, where Tayeh was sent to military school.[3]
Upon graduating in 2007, Tayeh convinced his parents to send him to visit family in Melbourne, having no intention of returning.[3] Tayeh would take multiple jobs to support himself, including at McDonalds and as a labourer.[3]
Tayeh founded an electronics company, going from one venture to the next, including managing the rollout of convenience store chain EzMart in Melbourne, until he had the capital to found Burgertory.[3]
Tayeh came to prominence following the start of the Israel-Hamas War for his outspoken support for Palestine, being a regular attendee and an organiser of pro Palestine rallies in Melbourne.
On 10 November 2023, Tayeh's Burgertory restaurant in the Melbourne suburb of Caulfield was burnt down, though police stated that they didn't believe that it was motivated by hate or prejudice.[4] [5] The following night, a rally took place that saw clashes between Israel and Palestine supporters.[6] Tayeh said staff had previously been threatened and told they “worked for a terrorist”, with Tayeh also attracting criticism online for attending pro-Palestine rallies in the Melbourne CBD amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Two men were later charged for the arson attack, telling the court that they took orders from “somebody above”.[7] On 8 July 2024, it was revealed that the attackers were paid $20,000 to torch the Burgertory restaurant.[8]
On 13 November 2023, Tayeh moved his wife and young child into a safehouse after receiving anonymous death threats on social media.[9]
In April 2024, a firebomb was thrown at Tayeh's house while he and his family were sleeping, with Tayeh labelling it either as terrorism or a hate crime.[10]
In July 2024, Tayeh was told by police that he would be arrested after being accused of inciting hatred of Jewish people. Tayeh has rejected all accusations of hatred and antisemitism.[1] On 19 July 2024, Tayeh handed himself in to police for questioning, but hasn’t been charged. At the same time, a rally, organised by Jews Against Fascism, took place outside of Fawkner Police Station and the Coburg North Burgertory restaurant, in support of Tayeh.[11]
Tayeh lives in Templestowe Lower with his wife and young child.