The Golden Globe Diner in Huntington has sparked cries of both outrage and support after it’s owner decided to show solidarity with Israel during its ongoing war with Hamas by flying Israeli flags and plastering his front window with posters depicting those who have been kidnapped during the violent conflict.
Owner Peter Tsadilas – who himself is Greek but who noted that many of his loved ones are Jewish – said that displaying the flags and posters is his way of showing support for the many hostages to be returned.
“I’m not Jewish, but my father-in-law is Jewish. My partner is Jewish. My best friend is Jewish,” he said. “You know, it’s the humane thing to do. And, we want to find these people and bring them back. It’s not my family, but if it were, I would want people to speak up about it.”
However, he said that his efforts have resulted in condemnation from some, citing three employees who decided to quit and several regular customers who decided to take their business elsewhere. Tsadilas also said that his diner is being boycotted by local DoorDash drivers as well.
“We’re having kickback from the locals now,” he said. “We get random phone calls from people telling us that it’s depressing and we should pull it all down, that they don’t want to see this s**t every day. The drivers from DoorDash came over and basically said they’re not picking up our orders with these flags outside.”
However, Tsadilas said that he has also found support for his stance, especially among members of Long Island’s Jewish community and beyond, many of who have expressed appreciation for his support of Israel during the war and have started frequenting his establishment. Some are even traveling from as far as Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware to eat at the Golden Globe Diner.
“We’re all people. I don’t want Palestinians to die. I don’t want anyone to die. But what happened to Israel was an attack,” Tsadilas said. “These are people’s kids, and fathers and mothers. It’s disgusting. Wars should be left to countries and armies, not innocent people.”
