Israeli flags and posters of hostages kidnapped by Hamas sparked outrage and a boycott of a restaurant on Long Island, where some employees quit in a show of support and business failed — until the Jewish community began to take notice.
Peter Tsadilas, owner of the Golden Globe Diner in Huntington, said he began displaying Israeli flags and posters as a way to support efforts to return hostages taken in the Israel-Hamas war.
But many local residents feel differently, according to Tsadilas, who told The Post three employees quit, several customers who came daily did not return, and local DoorDash drivers boycotted the restaurant.
“We are receiving kickbacks from the locals now. We get random phone calls from people telling us it’s sad and we should cut it all down, that they don’t want to see this every day,” Tsadilas said on Wednesday.
A group of local drivers for DoorDash also allegedly confronted Tsadilas, telling him he was promoting hate.
“The driver from DoorDash came and basically said they don’t take our orders with this flag outside,” he said, adding that his business soon stopped taking any kind of orders from DoorDash — and he couldn’t find his restaurant on the app anymore.
Tsadilas said his business reappeared on the app after he threatened to take legal action.
The Golden Globe Diner (formerly the Golden Dolphin Diner) has received backlash for its displays in support of Israel. Facebook Diner owner Peter Tsadilas said regular customers he sees every day have stopped coming to eat since the display went up. Terri Wortzman Ackerman / Facebook
In a statement, Doordash denied that there were any problems at the restaurant with deliveries or drivers.
“Based on our investigation to date, we have not found any evidence to substantiate any of the claims made by the restaurant’s owner,” a spokesperson told The Post.
A week after the alleged confrontation, Tsadilas noticed things started to change after a customer, who said he was Kosher, came in because he saw the poster and started telling his friends to come support the business.
“After that, he sent an email and it went viral,” he said. “They have shown us incredible support.”
The small eatery has received an incredible wave of support since word first spread in the Jewish community. The Golden Globe Diner
Posts shared online about the little coffee shop have prompted diners to dine at the mom-and-pop shop from as far away as Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware — and business has been booming ever since.
Tasadilas, who hails from Greece, admits there were moments at first when he second-guessed the eye-catching arrangement.
Now, however, he plans to put up more hostage posters alongside homemade signs reading “Greek Diners Stand With Israel.”
Tasadilas said he put up the signs and flags because he felt it was the “humane” thing to do. Facebook
“I am not Jewish, but my father-in-law is Jewish. My partner is Jewish. My best friend is Jewish,” he said. “You know, it’s the humane thing to do. And, we want to find these people and bring them back. It’s not my family, but if it is, I want people to talk about it.”
Long Islanders have stopped on Main Street, double-parked their cars, and gotten out to take pictures of the restaurant, Tasadilas said.
The restaurant owner said he saw the image of the three-year-old child and the abducted mother and imagined it was his own daughter or mother.
Since then business has grown rapidly in the restaurant.Facebook
“It became real. Now I feel very sad for the feelings of people who lost their families, do not know where they are, what they are doing and whether they are treated well. Whether they are alive or dead. And it’s not fair,” said Tasadilas.
While the initial backlash was a blow, Tasadilas said she appreciates being supported for doing what she feels is right.
“We are all people. I don’t want Palestinians to die. I don’t want anyone to die. But what happened to Israel was an attack,” he said. “These are people’s children, and fathers and mothers. It’s disgusting. War should be left to the nation and the army, not the innocent.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
