UPDATE March 20: The Nazareth Restaurant is still open and thriving!
—–
UPDATE Feb. 18: Unfortunately, Hany Baransi has now announced that he is closing the restaurant and moving back to Israel. I am sorry to hear this, although I certainly understand how he feels and wish him well. The restaurant’s closing represents another victory for jihad terrorism.
—–
This is what we need: defiance and courage in the face of evil. Instead, the whole West is surrendering, and calling it “respect.”
“EXCLUSIVE: Owner of Ohio Deli Targeted by Machete Terrorist: ‘We Are Israeli, We Fight Back,’” by Shiri Moshe, The Tower, February 14, 2016 (thanks to Jerk Chicken):
Hany Baransi has been serving authentic hummus and falafel in his central Ohio eatery for 27 years, proudly giving diners a taste of his Israeli Christian Arab heritage between bites of rich Mediterranean fare.
A sign bearing an Arabic greeting—“Ahlan Wa Sahalan”— hangs prominently near the glass doors of his Nazareth Restaurant & Deli in Columbus, through which passersby can also spot an Israeli flag. Baransi says he has always been outspoken about his Israeli identity, and so when his restaurant was attacked on Thursday evening by a machete-wielding man, he believed it was no coincidence.
The assailant, identified by police as 30-year-old Mohamed Barry, “came in and asked where I was from,” Baransi told The Tower. While Baransi was at home nursing a headache at the time, one of his employees– a young waitress– told Barry that the owner is from Israel. The man left after he determined that Baransi wasn’t at the restaurant, only to return around 30 minutes later with a machete and start hacking people.
“He came to each table and just started hitting them,” Karen Bass, who was in the restaurant at the time, told WBNS. “There were tables and chairs overturned, there was a man on the floor bleeding, there was blood on the floor.”
According to authorities, Nazareth’s employees and patrons fought back and threw chairs at Barry, who fled the eatery after injuring four diners. He led cops on a five-mile chase before his vehicle spun off the road and, armed with his machete and another knife, he lunged at the officers.
“He yelled ‘Allahu Akbar’ and then he attacked them with the machete and that’s when they shot him and killed him,” Baransi said.
No cops were wounded during the attack, and the four victims who were injured inside the restaurant are expected to recover.
While Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs said shortly after the assault that she believed Nazareth’s diners “were just randomly attacked, spontaneously, without warning,” Baransi wasn’t so certain.
“Is it a random attack? Yes, but it wasn’t a random attack like you’re walking in the street and there are 10 shops and you pick one,” he said. “It was a random attack [insofar] that I was one of the Israelis [picked] between all of the Israelis that are around here. It was a terrorist attack.”
“I am a very outspoken Israeli, and I have an Israeli flag in my restaurant,” added Baransi, who moved to the United States from Haifa in 1983 and said he tries to visit Israel as often as he can. “When people [from the Arab community] ask me where I am from, I tell them I am Israeli, I am an Israeli Christian Arab, it’s not like I am Palestinian, and then they start arguing and fighting with me.”
Baransi noted that the FBI, which has since joined the investigation and is probing whether the assault was an instance of homegrown extremism, has yet to share any conclusions. He mentioned that he is hoping to hear from them by Monday. For now, he is focusing on helping his staff cope with the traumatic experience they underwent.
“You know, we are Israelis, used to this in our lives, people attacking us and wanting to kill us,” he observed. “But Americans — I have young ladies, 19, 20-years-old, they probably never heard people yelling and screaming. It was a huge experience for them. And some of them are very devastated. All of us communicate on a daily basis, and some of us, a couple of people, are still having a really hard time.”
He said that he is only willing to reopen his restaurant once his staff assures him that they are ready. “Even though I am hurting financially badly, if this time is needed for the well-being of my employees, I am okay with that,” he stressed. “God will provide for us.”
When asked whether he would consider removing the Israeli flag seen from his restaurant’s entryway as a precaution, Baransi swiftly rejected the idea.
“Actually I have another flag, and I am going to get a bigger flag, and I am going to get a Star of David necklace and put it on my chest, and I am going to get a tattoo,” he declared. “Honest to God, I am not kidding. They don’t scare me. We are Israelis. We are Israelis. We are resilient, we fight back.”
“We are used to these bastards,” he added. “We are used to these kinds of attacks, that they hate us just for what we are. They don’t know us, they don’t know anything about us, and they do that. You know, I don’t care if I was an Arab or not, because I am an Israeli, and if you don’t like Israelis you don’t like me.”…“But I am very happy in my life,” he quickly added. “I feel okay. I love my country Israel, and I will defend it until the day I die.”

jp says
Good for him. The only thing I would amend would be to add a sticker titled “Israeli defended by Uzi”, and of course the hardware to back up the sticker.
Champ says
✡ I STAND WITH ISRAEL!!! ✡
https://youtu.be/FDP3Rscqg9Y
gravenimage says
Hear, hear!
dlbrand says
“✡ I STAND WITH ISRAEL!!! ✡”
Amen.
Cecilia Ellis says
I proudly stand with Israel and always will. To do so is an honor.
Con Ken says
Hog wash, buck your established system, start by ng them black market, and hide it!
Yea, but he did say that was his country, not usa, which is where he lives and works.
So I do not see patriotism for USA, only for his religion and birth country.
It’s one of the things I have never understood, if u choose to live in another country, then assimilate completely. It’s like always having one toe in your own country, just in case… This leads to mistrust.
What happened to him was terrorism, for sure. Just like in Europe, they play liberal media and lie about the Muslim invasion that has been happening in USA for last 20 years, and the horror of Obama’s pet project to come… The Europe migrants from 7 different middle East countries and Muslim Africa
Cecilia Ellis says
Huh?
Hope says
Mr. Baransi is a brave man and we need more men and women like him in America. I applaud his courage and thank him for setting a good example for us – fight and do not knuckle under to Islamic supremacism. I do wish, though, that someone in that restaurant had been armed and trained to use a firearm. Just once I would love to see these filthy pig jihadis taken down before they can hurt anyone.
Kepha says
Where’s his shop? If I’m ever in his part of Ohio, I will make it a point to eat there, for I like Middle Eastern food.
Mickey says
Hell yeah!!!
Them’s some balls!!
Mark says
Well, I know where I’m going for good Mediterranean food if I happen to find myself in Ohio! Everyone near this guy should pay a visit to his restaurant when he reopens and help him make up for lost business!
t. says
I was just thinking the same! Seriously, next time I am close to Ohio I will go there and buy myself a treat of falafel and hummus, from among my favorites, at his restaurant.
Mmmmm!
H says
It’s too bad he’s losing business over that nutjob. Hopefully his employees can pull it together and get back to work and then his business will boom with supporters like you all.
dumbledoresarmy says
If there’s a local chapter of ACT for America they could decide to hold social gatherings and meetings and fundraisers there.
Turn his shop into a hub of the Resistance… just like Israel is.
He’s on the front line, as a declared supporter of Israel.. and as a non-Dhimmi Arab Christian. So what he needs now are *reinforcements*.
mortimer says
Hany Baransi is protected by the Ohio police. I hope he invites them to dine there frequently.
All law enforcers everywhere need to learn the JIHAD DOCTRINE, the TAQIYYA DOCTRINE, the KAFIR DOCTRINE, the Islamic APARTHEID DOCTRINE and the Islamic REVENGE DOCTRINE to understand the mind of the jihadist. Those are the minimum basics of POLITICAL ISLAM they should know about Islam.
gravenimage says
Owner of Ohio deli attacked by jihadi screaming “Allahu akbar”: “I am going to get a bigger Israeli flag”
……………..,……..
Hany Baransi is a brave, brave man! Kudos to him and his staff!
If you want to patronize the Nazareth Restaurant & Deli in Columbus–they have great looking Baklava!–or just send a message commending their courage, you can contact them here:
http://www.nazarethdeli.com/
gravenimage says
Phone number is here:
(614) 899-1177
t. says
Thanks for the link, gravenimage!
Linde Barrera says
Thank you gravenimage. I will call the deli tomorrow. I appreciate you providing the link.
ICH says
Thanks and email sent !
Kudos from a Canadian
Stand strong America !!
gungadin says
I LUV Baklava !!! Wonder if he could ship it in dry ice !! I’d buy it regularly from him !!
nacazo says
I wish I was close to Columbus… I would stop there as much as I could.
Westman says
Another enabler fruit of the BDS movement – Jhad terrorists.
When uber-liberal American campuses support the destruction of Israel they embolden Jihad murderers in their own country.
Kudos for Hany Baransi and his restaurant workers who stand tall.
linnte says
Good for him! An excellent way to fight back without raising a hand.
Karen says
I wonder if HuffPo will document this deplorable hate crime on their Israeliaphobe website. No, you say? Oh, that’s right….that bus only makes one stop.
carpediadem says
OMG, first Christian I’ve heard of fighting back against terrorist scum!!
Kudos, congratulations!!
Coincidence he’s from Israel? he’s learned to fight back, unlike the mewling Christian terror-groupies so prevalent elsewhere.
Wish Aussie Christians were like this, especially the mealy-mouthed proPali hypocrites.
Mahendra Singh says
I am an Indian, who wholly supports Israel, bravely fighting off 100 million
vulturous Mustards 24/7. Mr Baransi- do reopen your restaurant. We are all with you.
By the way people should understand now that Islam is a grab-grab- grab cult.
In spite of all the land they got take a look at Syria today. Just rubble. They
will do the same to Germany and later to Sweden, Denmark and many other
‘liberal’ nations.
Jay Boo says
The real problem is with news media running interference.
The pandering MSM does not dare call it what it is — a despicable Muslim supremacist hate crime.
The grievance mongering Muslims then feel they must surely be entitled or else why would the MSM be so silent, they assume.
madmemere says
Good for him; when he gets that “bigger Israeli flag”, I hope he also gets a “good weapon” and instructions on how to best use said weapon! He also needs to develop a “desire” to use said weapon!
Susan says
Good for him standing up to the scum of allah. I have one suggestion for Mr. Baransi: get a big AMERICAN flag to accompany your Israeli flag. You’re in the heartland of America, sir, and there are still thousands of us who love OUR country and what it stood for when it was great – before the Muslim in the oval office began taking it down, brick by brick. We will restore America, and we will stand with you against the Muslim invaders.
Pong says
We all should do that. One flag for the “big satan” and one for the “small satan”. And a cross, and a mogen dovid. In every place were it possible.
gravenimage says
Great suggestion, Susan!
gungadin says
Great Post Susan !! I and many others are foursquare behind you !
dumbledoresarmy says
A few large well-trained dogs that will obey the order to “Sic ‘Em!” wouldn’t hurt, either.
Infidel man’s best friend.
Dan Moore says
I am 60 miles north of Columbus. I now want to go there for lunch.
Lynne says
I also applaud his young staff who probably saved more people from being hurt. They should be extremely proud of themselves.
Keys says
Yes!
Steve Green says
My brothers and sisters, help Hany and buy his food. Call and order Baklava for shipping to your home or office. Support him!
Shmooviyet says
Yes!
The attacker trying to spread the message of TRoP quickly learned the patrons & employees wouldn’t shiver and bow down before him.
And now this proud man will be supported– at least by sane citizens– and applauded for the fortitude and heart he’s displayed.
The savage gained NOTHING for himself nor his ’cause’– only shed more light on the miserable truth of his ‘religion’.
Jay Boo says
It is all about intimidation.
On a larger scale what about the presidency of the US.
If a candidate that is not Islam pandering gets elected Muslims jihadis full of entitlement syndrome might try an assassination attempt.
It will take more than body guards with today’s high technology.
The only sure defense is the certain awareness that there will be a heavy price (on ISLAM)
Shut down the carpet kissing mosques, and have national broadcasts exposing Islam’s evil and clownish buffoonery.
Michael Copeland says
Brave man, very commendable.
Maybe he could follow the example of Israel’s schools: the staff openly carry arms.
Max payne says
Mr.Baransi is a wonderful man,he is my kind of superma,he deserves a gold medal for his bravery…Death to all those bastards who hate Israel,Christianity,civilization ;the west and peace.
Angemon says
Bravo, Mr. Baransi!
Suburbanbanshee says
Mr Baransi reopened yesterday with extra staff to handle the large crowds of customers showing their support. The Nazareth employees are a strong and cheerful bunch. I saw a news report on WHIO Dayton.
gravenimage says
Thanks for the update, SB!
terry bare says
If this happened to a muslim, in a muslim restaurant, all hell would break loose in the MSM.
Where are you Obama?
Shmooviyet says
Recovering from the Sat. and Sunday celebrations, while Gen Jarrett works further on their SC list.
Keys says
Exactly right!
Barry N. Schmidt, D.D.S. says
….and Obama, Schumer, Bloomberg, Feinstein, Pelosi, Reid, et. al. still continue to fry the idea of the use of legally-owned firearms by responsible gun owners for self-defense in situations such as the attack described in the article. The scumbag with the machete should have been stopped with a well-placed
bullet or two, but these politicians for reasons that are totally incomprehensible continue with their anti-gun propaganda that makes no sense.
quotha raven says
I am sympathetic to his plight and fully support and admire Mr Hany Baransi’s bravery; I abhor the actions of the Allahu Akbar-yelling attacker as he attacks innocent people. I have to note, however, that, after serving tasty food in Columbus for 28 years, he identifies himself solely as an Israeli. He might have taken a different tack with the media. He might have said, “I am an American, proud of my Israeli heritage”.As it is, he appears to see himself as more of an Israeli than an American.(bigger flag, etc, in a sort of “bring it on” type attitude)
There are many here who will respond that he was attacked “as an Israeli” “by a muslim” but this incident did take place in Columbus, Ohio. A serviceable enough point, but even as a committed supporter of Israel, I still wish this fellow had identified himself as an American…
Glad the perp is dead.
Cheers!
quotha raven
Keys says
My guess is that he does fly the American flag, etc.
We simply don’t know the whole story. Hope the media can fill us in.
Those who fought back are the heroes, as well as the cops.
Carolyne says
Yes, I agree with you. Quotha raven. Please stop sitting on my chamber door. Just kidding.
But I agree with your post 100%.
quotha raven says
lol, ours crossed in cyberspace, like ships in the night. I love it up here.
Cheers!
quotha r
Angemon says
quotha raven posted:
“I have to note, however, that, after serving tasty food in Columbus for 28 years, he identifies himself solely as an Israeli. ”
Does he have American citizenship? I’m too lazy to go and check both stories, but the idea I got was that does not have American citizenship. Do correct me if I got that wrong.
quotha raven says
To Angemon – I don’t know whether he’s a US citizen or not; I don’t recall that the story made that clear. But, in the absence of American citizenship, it occurs to me that he’s something of a ….scavenger? I’m just disappointed that he doesn’t identify more with the country where he’s been thriving for the last 28 years – at least. One wonders why he hasn’t been running a deli in Israel, if he self-identifies as an Israeli. I’d feel the same way about anyone from any foreign place who has been here for such a long time and yet still refers to the country he came from as his nationality. Isn’t that why the Left invented the hyphenated Americans? As in “African-American”, “Italian-American”, et al. ad infinitem.
Cheers!
quotha raven
Angemon says
I see your point, QR. To me, however, if he doesn’t hold American citizenship it makes sense he refers to himself as Israeli (although 28 years is more than enough time to apply). On a tangential topic, “Israeli” is the exception to the leftist “something hyphen American” you mention. While African-Americans criminals shot by the police get treated as saints who can do no harm and muslim-Americans are presented as the first line of defense against islamic terrorists despite all evidence, American Jews who are just trying to go to college get called “baby-killers” or “nazis” and and the left is like “well, that sounds bad out of context, but he’s a Jew… I mean, the alleged assailant is a palestinian expressing his feelings about what’s happening in Israel”.
quotha raven says
to Angemon – Anti-semitism against Jews is on the rise all over Europe and rampant in NYC and in colleges and universities – I don’t know which ones except Columbia, where a friend described a first hand experience. The EU news is sprinkled with increasing frequency with stories of these incidents – Let’s not forget the Paris bistro bombed the same day as Charlie Hebdo was owned by a Jew -It’s chilling.
Cheers!
quotha raven
gravenimage says
Quotha Raven wrote:
To Angemon – I don’t know whether he’s a US citizen or not; I don’t recall that the story made that clear. But, in the absence of American citizenship, it occurs to me that he’s something of a ….scavenger?
…………………………..
Dear Quotha, he probably is an American citizen–Israel recognizes dual citizenship, so they would still regard him as an Israeli.
As for his being a “scavenger”, his staff fought off a Jihadist with a machete attacking American customers–that makes them pretty patriotic in my eyes–it is more than most Americans have done, including myself.
And Hany Baransi *does* fly the American flag–flies it above the Israeli flag, in fact.
You can see that in the video interview with Baransi (it is about halfway down the article):
http://www.wnd.com/2016/02/muslim-refugee-unleashes-carnage-inside-ohio-restaurant/
He ends the interview by saying, “Thank God we are in America!”.
Again, that sounds pretty patriotic to me! I don’t think he sounds like a “scavenger” at all.
In fact, I wish every native born American were this patriotic!
quotha raven says
To Gravenimage – All good points. I hadn’t watched the video or noticed the American flag hanging above the Israeli flag (maybe that was in the video). Mine was pretty much a knee-jerk reaction, based on way too little info. Careless of me, and also indicative of an attack of tunnel vision..
Cheers!
quotha raven
gravenimage says
Thanks for the reply, Quotha!
And yes, you can see the American flag flying above the Israeli one in the video.
Karl S. says
Something that won’t fit the leftist mold and therefore, won’t make the news over at HuffPo or Vox, or Vice, or any of those POS “news” outlets.
Brenda Buruma says
I read Jihad Watch all the time but this story really moved me. What a brave man Mr. Baranasi is. He’s not backing down to terrorism. If only others would do the same. He’s a true Israeli. They don’t back down and that’s how they’ve survived in the Middle East, the only democratic country surrounded by savages. If only our leaders would do the same.
Lynne says
He’s also a true American. As said from a true Canadian.
jewdog says
If I could, I’d eat in that guy’s restaurant every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
A friend of mine did hard time at Lieber for hacking up a guy with a machete who busted in on him when he was with his girl, so I gave my friend a small machete for his birthday and he carries it everywhere. Too bad Reverend Al wasn’t there to help.
Moshe Akiva says
The UN must pass a resolution against the USA for murdering innocent muslim people, much like they that when a savage is killed in Israel in the same way.
gravenimage says
The UN has already passed a resolution condemning America for droning Jihadists:
“UN passes resolution on drone strikes after pressure from Pakistan”
http://tribune.com.pk/story/647672/un-passes-resolution-against-drone-strikes-unanimously/
susan Finley says
so Glad the gentlemen in Ohio is going to stand against what every knows is a islamic terrorist attack on him and his business. we have had several isolated islamic terrorist attacks in the USA since Obama came into office. wake up america