'I'm the indigenous people of Israel. Not you'

This is a weird one.

On April 22, three people sitting outside Shift Eatery on Commonwealth Street in Surry Hills were accosted by a man identified as Dmitry Gerber. 

Gerber claims on Linkedin to be a NSW Police Special Constable — but NSW Police deny employing anyone by that name.

Footage of the incident shows Gerber approaching the trio, one of whom was Palestinian, and saying: "I'm the indigenous people of Israel. I'm Jewish. Not you. Lunatics.”

The trio allege Gerber began accosting them after seeing their keffiyehs, “poking his head into our space [and] saying ‘hmph!’”. After being asked what was wrong, Gerber allegedly replied: “There’s a lot wrong.”

The group also allege Gerber told them: "You wouldn't last two seconds with Hamas." This quote is partially audible at the beginning of the below recording. They claim Gerber made the comment about Hamas after witnessing one of the group, a gay person, being consoled by another man.

In the footage, one member of the group follows Gerber around the corner into an alleyway while filming on their phone. They call out to him: “Do you know that Israel blackmails queer Palestinians?”

Gerber responds: “Oh, please.”

Gerber’s Linkedin profile says he has “served close to 17 years in the NSW Police as a Special Constable – Security Management branch”.

“In the current role, I am responsible for delivering high-quality service in security management and event management,” Gerber’s profile states. “I am providing security cover for the public, high profile VIPs and government events.”

Responding to questions, the NSW Police media unit said: “The NSW Police Force does not have an employee named Dmitry Gerber, in any capacity.”

I’ve messaged Gerber on Linkedin but am yet to hear back.

Fundraiser update

Noor and her husband and her bub are doing as well as can be expected. Her brother Abdallah has been receiving the funds we’ve been raising, which will go towards getting them travel permits to Egypt.

Noor’s also asked that we try and raise enough funds for her elderly parents, her sister and her cousins can try to get out as well. Realistically I don’t know how much I can raise through this newsletter alone, so I’m going to start running ads on Facebook and Instagram to hopefully rustle up some extra cash.

Noor also sent through this very nice pic of her and her bub.

What I’m looking at

• Encamp, divest and keep your eyes on Gaza

• Israeli settlers attack humanitarian aid trucks

• RIP Bonza