Brooklyn protesters accused Poetica Coffee of being anti-Semitic for the ban
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NEW YORK – Israeli flags and anti-Semitism were flying outside a Brooklyn coffee shop Wednesday morning as protesters criticized the shop’s owners for shutting down a Jewish conference because of its pro-Israel beliefs.
“We’re here today to show that we’re not going anywhere. We stand with pride in our identity. We’re proud to be Jewish. And we’re not going to be intimidated by businesses that believe there’s a right or wrong view that Jews should hold on to Israel,” Jayne Zirkle, a protest organizer who serves as Director of Communications and Development for The Lawfare News Project, told Fox.
Poetica Coffee, which has several locations in New York City, recently made headlines after it blasted Rep. Dan Goldman, DN.Y., on social media. A Jewish minister said he entered the store because his daughter needed to use the restroom and bought a coffee because of the hospitality of the establishment, noting that the barista was especially kind.
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Poetica Coffee, which has several locations in NYC, has been banned from the Jewish Democratic Congress because of its pro-Israel views. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
Goldman, who describes himself as a liberal Zionist according to the New York Times, has been critical of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also disputed the idea that Israel is committing “genocide” in Gaza.
On its now-deleted Instagram page, Poetica Coffee posted a photo of Goldman at the store and said they had refunded the congressman.
“Hey @repdangoldman, we see you stopped by our store today for coffee. Do you see how it tastes like genocide juice? Or are you still having trouble telling the difference?” the cafe wrote in its post.
“Look, here at Poetica, we don’t employ racists, fascists, homophobes, genocidal powers, or anyone in between. Too bad we didn’t see it right away, even if we fired you. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (probably from AIPAC anyway). Enjoy your Tuesday loss to learn.
Anti-Israel protesters gathered outside Poetica Coffee as both sides debated the coffee shop’s treatment of Rep. Dan Goldman, DN.Y. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
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Goldman responded, saying that her experience at the store was pleasant, and that she hopes the barista who helped her will still get her tip, despite the store refunding her purchase.
“I’m sorry to see this post. The barista couldn’t have been more nice to me and my 7-year-old daughter – letting her use the bathroom even though we weren’t buying anything. I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope she at least makes sure she gets the tip she deserves,” Goldman wrote.
The controversy arose as Goldman fought to keep his House seat. On Tuesday, he lost his Democratic primary race in a landslide to former New York City Mayor Brad Lander, who was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vt., and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Goldman told CNN’s Laura Coates that the position is very different from what she did at Poetica Coffee. He also noted the absurdity of the restaurant saying it supports genocide.
“And the idea of accusing a stranger of supporting genocide, I mean it’s crazy. It’s crazy,” he told Coates. “Now, I might argue whether there is or not. But, come on, we’re better than this. And we need to be better than this.”
Poetica Coffee’s social media post blasting Rep. Dan Goldman, DN.Y., sparked controversy and protests Wednesday. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
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Poetica Coffee’s post quickly drew outrage, even drawing the attention of the Justice Department’s Office of Human Rights. The DOJ announced that it had opened an investigation into the coffee shop over allegations of “refusal to mockery” against Goldman. However, the Congressman said that he did not think that this incident required an investigation.
On Wednesday, protesters gathered on both sides of Lorimer Street, some carrying Israeli and American flags and others carrying Palestinian flags. Pro-Israel protesters staged their protest near Poetica Coffee, accusing them of not believing in Israel while anti-Israel protesters shouted slogans in response.
Zirkle dismissed the idea that the store’s decision to close Goldman was politically motivated.
“This person didn’t come in with an Israeli flag looking for a foreign policy debate. He came in to buy a cup of coffee,” he said.
One protester argued that attempts to separate antisemitism and anti-Zionism are often futile.
“It’s too bad because they say it’s anti-Zionism, but anti-Zionism can [equate to] to disagree with the Jews because the majority of the Jewish people are Zionists,” said the protester.
Poetica Coffee faced protests after blocking Rep. Dan Goldman, DN.Y., for his pro-Israel views. (Julia Bonavita/Fox News Digital)
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Ramon Maislen, a Jewish Brooklyn resident who recently helped lead a discrimination lawsuit alleging harassment at the Park Slope Food Coop, said he sees the incident at Poetica Coffeee as indicative of a broader trend he’s seen throughout the borough.
“I think what we have right now, especially in Brooklyn and other progressive areas, is that people are willing, or anti-Zionists are willing to accept Jews as long as they say they are anti-Zionist or anti-Israel in some way,” Maislen told Fox News Digital.
“I talked to people and Park Slope and Williamsburg and other places in Brooklyn that fully support Hamas,” he added later.
Many of the protesters criticizing Poetica Coffee’s treatment of Goldman cited the coffee shop’s website, where its owners paint the establishment as a place where everyone is welcome regardless of their beliefs.
The coffee shop’s website says it’s a place where “the door doesn’t close to anyone, where tea is poured before anyone asks who you are.” Critics pointed out that the language contradicted the management of the coffee shop Goldman.
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For Zirkle, it comes down to whether business sponsors have to pass an opinion test before buying.
“There should not be a political test that anyone must pass in order to be treated with dignity,” he said.
Goldman’s office and Poetica Coffee did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
