Hash Tayeh
{{Short description|Palestinian-Australian businessman and activist (born 1990-1991)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}{{Use Australian English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Hasheam Tayeh
| image = File:Hash Tayeh (cropped).jpg
| caption = Tayeh at a rally in Melbourne in May 2024.
| birth_name =
| known_for = CEO of Burgertory
Pro-Palestine activism
Alleged antisemitism
| family =
}}
Hasheam Tayeh (born {{Circa||}}1990–1991), commonly referred to as Hash Tayeh, is a Palestinian-Australian businessman and activist from Melbourne. Tayeh is the founder and chief executive officer of burger restaurant chain Burgertory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.burgertory.com.au/the-founder/|title=Hasheam Tayeh - The Founder - Burgertory|date=December 10, 2020}}
Background
Tayeh, along with his family, fled the Gulf War in Jordan at a young age.{{Cite web |last=Turner-Cohen |first=Alex |date=2022-04-03 |title=How Melbourne ex-McDonald's worker made $30m from flipping burgers |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/small-business/how-melbourne-exmcdonalds-worker-made-30m-from-flipping-burgers/news-story/59509f64e81e671db3f74cac97893496?amp |website=www.news.com.au}} Several years later, he along with his family relocated to Qatar after his dad received a job opportunity, where Tayeh was sent to military school.
Upon graduating in 2007, Tayeh convinced his parents to send him to visit family in Melbourne, having no intention of returning. Tayeh would take multiple jobs to support himself, including at McDonald's and as a labourer.
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.
Palestine activism
Tayeh came to prominence following the start of the Gaza war for his outspoken support of 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/two-arrested-over-burgertory-fire-police-confirm-not-a-hate-crime-20240131-p5f1f2.html|title=Two charged over Caulfield Burgertory fire, police confirm it was not a hate crime|website=amp.theage.com.au}}{{Cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Nathan |date=2023-11-10 |title=Popular burger shop burned after owner's pro-Palestine controversy |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/popular-burger-shop-burned-after-owners-propalestine-controversy/news-story/5244b36033fe0a9103dcfcca0c304955?amp |website=www.news.com.au}} The following night, a rally took place that saw clashes between Israel and Palestine supporters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/palestinian-owned-caulfield-burger-shop-destroyed-in-suspicious-fire-20231110-p5ej1i.html|title=Protesters pepper-sprayed in clashes over Gaza near fire-ravaged Caulfield burger shop|first=Lachlan|last=Abbott|date=November 10, 2023|website=The Age}} Tayeh said staff had previously been threatened and told they “worked for a terrorist”. Tayeh attracted criticism online for attending pro-Palestine rallies in the Melbourne CBD amid the ongoing war. Two men were later charged for the arson attack, telling the court that they took orders from “somebody above”.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/burgertory-accused-took-orders-from-somebody-above-court-hears-20240301-p5f957.html|title=Burgertory fire: Accused arsonists took orders from 'somebody above', court hears|website=amp.theage.com.au}} On 8 July 2024, it was revealed that the attackers were paid $20,000 to torch the Burgertory restaurant.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/men-accused-of-firebombing-burgertory-eatery-paid-20-000-for-the-job-court-told-20240708-p5jryp.html|title=The men accused of firebombing Burgertory were paid $20,000, Melbourne Magistrates' Court told|website=amp.theage.com.au}}
On 13 November 2023, Tayeh moved his wife and young child into a safe house after receiving anonymous death threats on social media.{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-13/burgertory-owner-moves-family-to-safehouse-730/103100348|title=Palestinian-Australian burger chain owner moves family into safe house after death threat - ABC News|website=amp.abc.net.au}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/firebomb-thrown-at-home-of-burgertory-s-activist-founder-20240422-p5flq6.html|title=Firebomb thrown at home of Burgertory's activist founder|first=Chris|last=Vedelago|date=April 22, 2024|website=The Age}}
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. On 19 July 2024, Tayeh handed himself in to police for questioning, but was not 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.https://www.northweststar.com.au/story/8701268/food-chain-operator-hands-himself-into-police/
Personal life
Tayeh lives in Templestowe Lower, Victoria with his wife and young child.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}