The owner of a Brooklyn coffee shop, known for his leftist views, has attracted attention for allegedly discriminating against pro-Israel customers. Parviz Muhammadkurov, who runs Poetica Coffee in Park Slope, has made numerous inflammatory posts on LinkedIn, including claims that Israel’s actions resemble those of Nazi Germany.
Muhammadkurov frequently comments on posts regarding the conflicts between Israel and Hamas, often justifying Hamas’s actions during their attacks on October 7, 2023. In one such post, he stated, “Israel is today’s Nazi Germany,” in response to a video from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
His controversial remarks extend to twisting Holocaust references into criticisms of Israel. For instance, he reacted to a poignant image of a young girl in an Auschwitz uniform by saying, “This is a horrific story. That’s why it’s important to speak out against the genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people.”
He has also claimed that the ongoing conflict isn’t genuinely about security or hostages, suggesting that it relies on conflict for power. This stance has drawn significant criticism, especially given the tragic context of the recent attacks, which resulted in the abduction of 251 people and the deaths of over 1,200 innocents.
Moreover, Muhammadkurov has expressed a particular focus on allegations that Israel targets infants in its military actions. He questioned a video in which a Hamas leader made a provocative statement about Palestinian ambitions, asking, “Please explain to me why Israel is killing infants.” This question echoes broader anti-Semitic themes identified by groups like the Anti-Defamation League as calls for violent opposition to Israel.
Adding to the controversy, Poetica Coffee recently declared it would not serve Congressman Dan Goldman, a pro-Israel politician. The coffee shop’s Facebook post mocking Goldman stated, “Hi, Congressman Dan Goldman, it looks like you’re stopping by our store today for coffee. Can you see that it doesn’t taste like genocide juice?”
The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has since launched an inquiry into this incident, indicating that banning Goldman might be unlawful. Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, announced that the department would investigate and take action if needed.
