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Avi Yemini

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Avi Yemini
Yemini in 2022
Born
Avraham Shalom Waks[1]

(1985-10-17) 17 October 1985 (age 39)[2][3][4]
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
NationalityAustralian, Israeli
Citizenship
  • Australian
  • Israeli
EducationYeshivah College, Melbourne[1]
Occupations
  • Soldier
  • Activist
EmployerRebel News (since 2020)
Political partyLiberty Alliance (2018–2019)[1][5]
Military career
Allegiance Israel
Service / branch Israel Defense Forces
Years of service2004–2007
UnitGolani Brigade

Avraham Shalom Yemini ( Waks; born 17 October 1985) is an Australian-Israeli far-right provocateur and commentator.[6][7] From 2020 onwards he has worked as the Australian correspondent for Rebel News, a Canadian far-right website.[1][8] Yemini has been involved in numerous cases of litigation, initiated both by him and against him.

Yemini grew up in a large family in Melbourne, Victoria, and attended various orthodox Jewish schools in Melbourne and overseas.[1] When he was 16 he experienced substance abuse and at the age of 19 joined the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in an attempt to get off drugs.[1]

In 2018, Yemini unsuccessfully ran as a candidate for the Australian Liberty Alliance in the Victorian state election.[1] In that same year he was banned from Facebook for doxing a journalist.[9][10] Yemini was denied entry to New Zealand in 2022, due to criminal convictions.[11]

Personal life and education

Yemini was born in Melbourne, Victoria to Zephaniah (formerly Stephen) and Hava Waks,[12] and grew up in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda East.[1] He is one of seventeen children.[1] One of his elder siblings is Manny Waks.[4]

Yemini attended Yeshivah College, and was later sent to ultra-Orthodox schools in the U.S., Israel and Brazil. He returned to Melbourne when he was 16, and subsequently became addicted to heroin. He spent the next two years in rehab, foster homes and crisis care.[1]

Yemini lives in Berwick, Victoria with his wife, a hairdresser. They met at a coffee shop in 2018.[1]

Activities

Yemini joined the IDF when he was 19, in an effort to straighten out.[1] He served with the IDF's Golani Brigade from 2005 until 2008. Most of his active duty was spent along the border of the Gaza Strip.[13] After returning to Australia, Yemini opened his first IDF gym in Caulfield, Victoria, followed by a second in the Melbourne central business district in 2016.[14][15] In 2018, Yemeni sold the gyms.[1]

On 4 March 2018, Yemini joined the Australian Liberty Alliance to run as a candidate for the Southern Metropolitan Region of the Victorian Legislative Council at the 2018 state election.[1] He was unsuccessful, receiving 0.49% of the vote.[1] Through the party and his collaboration with Tommy Robinson and Rebel News, he has been affiliated with the counter-jihad movement.[16]

In 2020, Yemini became the Australian correspondent for the Canadian far-right outlet, Rebel News.[1][8] He is known for his performance skills and opportunistic nature.[1] Through his work with Rebel, Yemeni emerged as a critic of former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and what he sees as a middle-class, soft-left ideology, which he believes is supported by “woke elites”, an entitled political class, and the mainstream media.[1]

In August 2022, Yemini was denied entry to New Zealand due to a 2019 criminal conviction for assaulting his ex-wife.[11] Yemini claimed the decision was due to an article in The New Zealand Herald that described him and fellow content creator Rukshan Fernando as "Australian conspiracy commentators".[17][18] Yemini was allowed entry to New Zealand in 2023.[19]

Social media bans

In April 2016, the Facebook page for Yemini's gym was banned for three days for sharing an antisemitic post with the hashtag "saynotoracism". Yemini said he had shared the post to raise awareness of the intolerance faced by the Jewish community.[13]

In August 2018, Yemini's main Facebook page was banned for hate speech violations.[9] The decision came after Yemini doxxed journalist Osman Faruqi, resulting in Faruqi receiving abusive messages and death threats from Yemini's followers.[20][10]

In September 2020, two of Yemini's Facebook pages were banned following inquiries by Gizmodo Australia.[9] As of February 2021, Yemini was posting anti-vaccine and anti-lockdown content on Facebook.[21]

In 2016, one of Yemini's brothers, Manny Waks, sued him for defamation after Yemini claimed that Waks and their father were harbouring a known paedophile in the family home.[22] Waks dropped the lawsuit after Yemini apologised a few months later.[1]

In July 2019, Yemini pled guilty to assault after he threw a chopping board that hit his former wife on her forehead in 2016.[23] He also pleaded guilty to using a carriage service to harass by sending abusive text messages to her, and one charge of breaching an intervention order relating to a video of a man.[23] Yemini was fined A$3,600.[23]

In 2021 Yemini was ejected and banned from the Victorian Parliament precinct for 7 days after he gained access using a media accreditation issued by the federal Department of Home Affairs for foreign dignitary visits.[24] In March 2021, he applied for accreditation to allow him access to the press galleries of both houses of the parliament and the areas sounding the buildings.[24] Yemini's application was refused with no reasons being given.[24] He then took legal action against three Victorian parliamentary officials − including former Legislative Assembly speaker Colin Brooks.[25] Yemini subsequently lost the case.[26]

In June 2021, Zarah Garde-Wilson initiated a defamation lawsuit against Yemini after he published an image of Garde-Wilson with wording which stated that she had been arrested and charged for making threats to kill.[27][28] The proceedings concluded with a settlement in October 2021.[29] Rebel News agreed to remove the offending image of Garde-Wilson and issue an apology stating that no one had made any threats to kill.[29]

In March 2022, Yemini launched legal action against Twitter user PRGuy17 claiming that tweets from the account were defamatory.[30] In June of that year, Twitter were ordered to hand over IP addresses associated with the account.[30] After Twitter handed over IP addresses associated with the account, YouTuber Friendlyjordies interviewed Jeremy Maluta who stated that the account belonged to them.[31]

In 2023, Yemini sued Facebook fact-checker RMIT FactLab after it contradicted claims made by him in a story about the Shrine of Remembrance's CEO.[32] He claimed that the fact-checker had defamed him by accusing him of spreading misinformation.[33] During the court case, defence for RMIT FactLab stated that Yemini had "failed to make any formal inquiries via appropriate channels with relevant persons" who had knowledge of the claims made in his story.[33] The case was dismissed in August 2023 when Yemini withdrew.[32][33] He stated that “[w]e had to withdraw due to the risk of losing the case and having to pay costs on top”.[33]

Views

Yemini is a far-right provocateur,[6][34] who has been described as having a pronounced dislike of trans-rights activists and climate science.[1] He has described himself as a "proud Zionist" and as being "proudly anti-Islam".[35] Yemini has described Islam as a "barbaric ideology", and Muslim countries as "Islamic shitholes".[36] At a 2018 demonstration against the imprisonment of Tommy Robinson, Yemini declared himself to be "the world's proudest Jewish Nazi".[17] The politics of the Avi Yemini's Australian branch of Rebel News have been described as "anti-leftist".[37]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Elliott, Tim (18 February 2023). "'He's exploiting people who are genuinely scared': Avi Yemini and the art of outrage". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  2. ^ Chobocky, Barbara (2002). "Welcome to the Waks Family". Jewish Film Institute. Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  3. ^ "Welcome to the Waks Family". The Age. 18 March 2004. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
  4. ^ a b Levi, Joshua (6 October 2016). "Manny Waks sues brother". The Australian Jewish News. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  5. ^ Martin, Lisa (15 November 2018). "Victorian Liberal party candidate asked to resign over 'anti-Muslim' video". Guardian Australia. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b Far-right:
  7. ^ Estcourt, David (21 June 2022). "Far-right commentator Yemini plans more court action to identify PRGuy". The Age. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  8. ^ a b Rebel News:
  9. ^ a b c Wilson, Cam (22 September 2020). "Avi Yemini, The Far-Right Activist Who's Suing The Victorian Government, Has Been Banned From Facebook Again". Gizmodo Australia. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  10. ^ a b Mann, Alex; Faruqi, Osman (23 February 2023). "Doxxed: Exposing the terrifying new frontier in online abuse". ABC listen. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  11. ^ a b Hendry-Tennent, Ireland (23 August 2022). "Far-right conspiracy theorist Avi Yemini denied entry into New Zealand because of criminal conviction". Stuff (website). Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  12. ^ Hall, Bianca (27 September 2016). "Manny Waks sues brother for defamation over 'harbouring paedophile' claims". The Age. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  13. ^ a b Hall, Bianca (8 April 2016). "Jewish business IDF Training banned from Facebook after sharing anti-Semitic post". The Age. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  14. ^ Hall, Bianca (1 November 2015). "Melbourne gym recruits members for Israeli army". The Age. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Self Defence Classes, Martial Arts Melbourne, Muay Thai Melbourne, Boxing Melbourne". www.idftraining.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  16. ^ McSwiney, Jordan (2024). Far-Right Political Parties in Australia: Disorganisation and Electoral Failure. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781003848929. Archived from the original on 21 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Parliament protest: Australian conspiracy commentator reportedly denied entry". The New Zealand Herald. 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 23 September 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  18. ^ Wilson, Cam (23 August 2022). "Right-wing commentator Avi Yemini denied entry to New Zealand over domestic abuse conviction". Crikey. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Far-right conspiracy theorist allowed entry into NZ after originally being denied". Stuff (website). 29 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 December 2024. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  20. ^ Esposito, Brad (3 August 2018). "This Journalist Got Death Threats After Being Doxxed By An Activist. Facebook Took 18 Hours To Respond". BuzzFeed News. Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  21. ^ Taylor, Josh; McGowan, Michael; Bland, Archie (19 February 2021). "Misinformation runs rampant as Facebook says it may take a week before it unblocks some pages". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  22. ^ Hall, Bianca (27 September 2016). "Manny Waks sues brother for defamation over 'harbouring paedophile' claims". The Age. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  23. ^ a b c "Avi Yemini, 'spokesperson' for Tommy Robinson, convicted of assaulting his ex-wife". The Jewish Chronicle. 31 July 2019. Archived from the original on 12 April 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Godde, Callum; Cosoleto, Tara (15 March 2022). "Yemini fights Vic parliament pass refusal". thesenior.com.au. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  25. ^ Woods, Emily (16 December 2022). "Avi Yemini loses parliament pass case". Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  26. ^ Antrobus, Blake (18 December 2022). "'Press freedom is dead': YouTuber's complaint after Supreme Court dismisses press pass legal fight". news.com.au. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  27. ^ Grand, Chip Le (14 June 2021). "Gangland lawyer sues far-right agitator over defamatory posts". The Age. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  28. ^ Pick, T. J. I. (18 June 2021). "Alt-right activist Avi Yemini sued by Melbourne gangland lawyer over defamatory post". thejewishindependent.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  29. ^ a b Hutchinson, Stephen Brook, Samantha (13 October 2021). "Gangland lawyer and alt-right activist settle defamation case". The Age. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ a b Taylor, Josh (7 June 2022). "Twitter ordered to hand over PRGuy17's personal information as part of defamation suit". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  31. ^ Taylor, Josh (24 June 2022). "PRGuy unmasks himself in video with Friendlyjordies after legal threat by Avi Yemini". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  32. ^ a b Thomas, Shibu (18 August 2023). "Far-Right Activist Avi Yemeni Withdraws Defamation Case Over Melbourne Shrine Rainbow Lights". Star Observer. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  33. ^ a b c d Sibthorpe, Clare (18 August 2023). "Controversial activist Avi Yemini pulls out of legal fight with RMIT over fact-checking article". News.com.au. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  34. ^ Napier-Raman, Kishor; Towell, Noel (29 November 2023). "Perrottet rewrites history in chat with controversial far-right figure". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  35. ^ Surkes, Sue (14 March 2017). "Caller threatens to kill Melbourne Jewish gym owner". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 31 July 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  36. ^ Halliday, Josh (7 December 2018). "Anti-Islam activists get key roles in 'family-friendly' Brexit march". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 7 December 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  37. ^ Richards, Imogen; Brinn, Gearóid; Jones, Callum (1 December 2023). Global Heating and the Australian Far Right. Routledge. p. 143. ISBN 9781032349800 – via Google Books.