Cafe that shunned Israelis tones down sign

A former American Associated Press photo journalist operating a cafe-bar in Kaikoura has toned down his stance against Israeli customers after initially banning them.

Strawberry Tree owner Shayne Kavanagh, who worked for the news agency AP in the Middle East, has been slated for his stand on the war in Gaza after he put a sign outside his cafe saying Israelis were not welcome.

The sign has now been replaced with the milder one saying "Shame on Israel".

The sign has stirred up both condemnation and support, and follows a protest by a cafe owner in Invercargill when Mustafa Tekinkaya refused to serve two Israeli women last week.

Mr Kavanagh's stance was noted in Israel. A popular Israeli news website, YNet.com, reported an Israeli living in Kaikoura informed them on Friday that as cafe had a sign outside reading "Israelis not welcome before shelling stops".

Mr Kavanagh said he had been writing different messages on his chalkboard outside his pub since the current conflict began, and although he had been approached by the police, the matter had not been taken further. Kaikoura police said they were aware of the issue and were awaiting legal opinion.

Mr Kavanagh said he had received several calls in support of his actions from as far away as Napier and Whangarei, and he said the positive reactions had outweighed the negative. He said the signage was about information and was not borne out of racism.

"If people don't speak up, nothing will change," he said. "The Strawberry Tree is one of the busiest tourist bars in town and I want to inform people of what's going on in the world."

Mr Kavanagh has long been interested in humanitarian issues having spent a lengthy time in what he describes as "troublesome" places, including working as a photo journalist in the Middle East. He has had a Free Palestine sign in his bar for the last 5 1/2 years and he said everyone who came into the bar knew how strongly he felt on the subject.

"Everyone has the right to live without the threat of violence and hatred. It is absolutely wrong to be bombing schools and hospitals and putting fear into those families who live in Gaza and I wish I could make a difference."

However, the public display of his views caused a stir among the community, and mayor Kevin Heays said the number of people who had asked him to investigate the signage had been "enough to make it a concern".

"If a sign is offensive to someone then under the signs bylaw we have to investigate," he said. "I don't think there's any place for it in this town."

He said it was sad that the attention was reflecting badly on the community and he would be looking into the legalities of Mr Kavanagh's signage.

"If it is found that what the licensee has done goes against his license criteria or is illegal I will look very closely at it. I have admiration for people with strong political views but I have my doubts when it comes to racism and discrimination."

However, Mr Kavanagh said he did not believe his signage was damaging the town's tourist market and insisted that the Strawberry Tree had always supported the town, putting "100 per cent effort" into local fundraising initiatives.

Mr Heays said Mr Kavanagh could have displayed his sign inside the premises. The signs bylaw in Kaikoura states no offensive sign is to be displayed where it was viewable by the public.

He suggested Mr Kavanagh's actions were a publicity stunt. However, Mr Kavanagh disputed this.

"Maybe he (the mayor) should wake up and watch the news and get the footpaths right."

Mr Kavanagh had also been visited by those eager to share their opinions, including a family on holiday from Christchurch who spent time with him yesterday discussing the issue outside the pub.

In Christchurch on Saturday about 400 people marched in a protest called the Justice of Palestine.

- © Fairfax NZ News