Protesters Confront Congressman Outside New York Coffee Shop
On June 24, a coffee shop in New York became the scene of a heated protest targeting Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Pro-Israel and anti-Israel groups clashed outside Poetica Coffee in Park Slope, engaging in shouting matches until police from the New York City Police Department stepped in to separate the opposing factions.
Demonstrators in support of Israel chanted phrases like “End Jewish hatred,” while a pro-Palestinian rabbi, dressed in a keffiyeh and waving a Palestinian flag, responded with accusations such as “Nazi terrorists of Zion.” Other protesters reportedly hurled insults, claiming the rabbi had “bad breath.”
In a social media post related to the incident, Poetica Coffee made a provocative statement, asserting that their drinks “do not taste like genocide juice.” They addressed Goldman’s visit that day, questioning whether he could truly differentiate their coffee from anything related to the ongoing conflict.
Additionally, the coffee shop emphasized its policy against serving individuals they label as “racists, fascists, or genocidal promoters,” implying that if they had recognized Goldman sooner, he wouldn’t have been welcomed. Interestingly, they appear to have refunded him $9.82, which he had spent there.
Goldman later commented on the situation, saying he had had a pleasant interaction with a barista who, wearing a hijab, had kindly allowed his daughter to use the restroom. He expressed gratitude for her kindness, even purchasing her a coffee and tipping well. However, he lamented that great interactions could be undermined by the political climate.
Michelle Adout, the director of End Jew Hatred, criticized the protest, asserting that it shouldn’t be necessary for New Yorkers to demonstrate loyalty to Israel just to enjoy a cup of coffee. Conversely, Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, who opposes Zionism, welcomed the protests as a means to confront what he termed an “unjust occupation.”
The incident has now caught the attention of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, as Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon confirmed an investigation is underway.
While Goldman hasn’t supported military aid to Israel since 2024, he also stands against outright bans, indicating that such measures could weaken U.S. leverage. In August 2025, he described conditions in Gaza as a “humanitarian catastrophe,” criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for prioritizing personal interests over those of his nation.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated significantly following an attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths, including 46 Americans, and left 254 people held hostage.
