A coffee shop in New York stirred controversy over the weekend when its owner publicly claimed that pro-Israel Representative Dan Goldman denied being a “genocide perpetrator.”
Brooklyn’s Poetica Coffee posted on Facebook Sunday, sharing a picture of Goldman inside the café and noted that they had issued a $9.82 refund to Goldman’s business.
“Hi, Congressman Dan Goldman. It seems you’re stopping by our place for coffee today. Can you tell that it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having trouble distinguishing?” the post stated.
The post also mentioned that if the staff had recognized him, they would have refused service.
“Here at Poetica, we do not serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocidal perpetrators, or anyone in between. If we’d recognized you sooner, you would have been turned away. We’ve refunded your money. Honestly, we don’t need it (which will likely come from AIPAC). Best of luck on Tuesday. Don’t come back to Poetica.”
Mark Goldfeder, who heads the National Jewish Center for Advocacy, remarked that Poetica’s reference to AIPAC suggested a troubling mindset among the owners. new york post.
“They’re making it clear that many Jews aren’t welcome here,” Goldfeder noted. “This isn’t just about Dan Goldman; it’s concerning to a lot of Jews.”
Mark Traeger, CEO of the New York Jewish Community Relations Council, stated that Poetica’s treatment of Goldman violated New York state human rights laws against discrimination.
“Imposing collective blame on Jews and those perceived as supporters of Israel over disagreements about Middle Eastern policies is, quite frankly, anti-Semitism,” Traeger asserted. “Given the nature of the social media postings, the company’s actions are highly questionable and warrant a detailed examination under human rights regulations. Turning a coffee order into a test of Jewish identity is an insult to the law, our values, and all New Yorkers who oppose discrimination.”
Neither state Attorney General Letitia James nor Mayor Zoran Mamdani has commented on the situation.
Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department, noted that Poetica’s behavior could be illegal.
“Federal law prohibits public accommodations like coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on race, religion, or national origin,” Dhillon stated in a post on X. “These actions are not only morally wrong but may also be unlawful. The Office for Civil Rights has started an investigation and will pursue legal action if necessary.”
Goldman later clarified that he had merely bought a coffee for his daughter as a courtesy after they had used the restroom.
“I’m disappointed to see this post,” he shared in a statement. “The barista was incredibly kind to my 7-year-old daughter and me, even letting us use the bathroom without purchasing anything. I made sure to buy her a coffee to thank her for her kindness. I just hope she gets the tip she deserves.”
Goldman is facing a challenging re-election campaign against New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who also agreed that Poetica had overstepped.
“There are numerous ways to express your dissatisfaction with elected officials without turning coffee shops into places where people are unwelcome,” Lander said.
