Another antisemitic incident unfolded in recent days – this time within the vegan culinary sphere. An antisemitic Instagram page named "Vegans for Palestine" initiated a harsh campaign against Israeli chef Guy Vaknin, owner of a thriving vegan restaurant chain in New York.
Posts circulated against him alleged his businesses are "Zionist" and that he employs veganism to whitewash Israel's crimes, along with accusations of "culinary appropriation" of Arab cuisine. Lists published by the page also featured additional vegan restaurants owned by Israelis in the city, designed to exert economic pressure and isolate them.
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The campaign extended beyond boycott appeals: page followers disseminated offensive messages and threats toward Vaknin himself and even toward his children, employing racist language and severe personal delegitimization. His military service in the IDF, a duty required of every Israeli citizen, was characterized by the boycotters as an adequate justification to boycott him and his staff.
Guy Vaknin, who initially rose to prominence through his appearance on "Hell's Kitchen" with Gordon Ramsay and later solidified his status as a successful chef in the American scene after receiving investment on "Shark Tank," responded with a public declaration on his Instagram account.
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In his statement, he emphasized that his restaurants have been in operation for over 12 years and have never been involved in politics, and that his vision is centered on advancing veganism, compassion, and human kindness.
"Our mission has always been, and continues to be, focused on creating positive change for the animals, the planet, and the community," he wrote, noting that efforts to transform his culinary profession into a political instrument damage not only him and his family but also the entire workforce.
