Hate Closes Tantura Restaurant
Popular Israeli Restaurant Tantura in Lisbon Shuts Down Amid Rising Antisemitism
Tantura, a beloved Israeli restaurant in Lisbon, closes permanently after years of antisemitic harassment, graffiti, and boycotts that turned the establishment into a daily struggle.
After a decade of operation, the owners of Tantura, a beloved Israeli restaurant in Lisbon, have announced its permanent closure, citing an escalating wave of antisemitic harassment and campaigns that turned their establishment into a "daily struggle."
In a heartfelt Facebook post on January 7, the owners reflected on the past three years: "During the past three years, we found ourselves facing a hard and painful reality. Bit by bit, the place that was supposed to be a space for connection and joy became an arena of daily struggle."
JPost explained that the owners attributed their decision to the "alarming rise of antisemitism in the world," particularly intensified since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
Tantura, known for its Mediterranean cuisine blending Israeli flavors with local influences, has faced graffiti on its walls, online defamation, boycotts, and hostile campaigns.
The owners emphasized that the restaurant, which aimed solely to serve its community without ties to the Israeli government, was unfairly targeted.
"Attacking a restaurant that only aims to serve its community and has no ties to the Israeli government is not protesting or brave. It is simply hateful and cowardly," they stated.
The closure has drawn condemnation from Jewish organizations, with the European Jewish Congress expressing deep concern over the "sustained antisemitic targeting, harassment, and intimidation" that forced Tantura to shut down.