DOJ Sues Oakland Coffee Shop Over Alleged Discrimination Against Jews
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly filed a lawsuit against a coffee shop in Oakland, California, known as Jerusalem Coffee House, over allegations of refusing service to Jews and “Zionists.” This action comes as part of efforts from the newly formed Civil Rights Division.
In a statement, the DOJ elaborated:
The Department of Justice has initiated legal proceedings against the owners of Jerusalem Coffee House, alongside Native Ground LLC. The lawsuit claims violations of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, asserting that the defendants discriminated against Jewish patrons, thereby breaching laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin.
“It’s unacceptable for American businesses to deny service to Jewish individuals,” stated Attorney General Halham K. Dillon. “The DOJ is dedicated to vigorously enforcing the Civil Rights Act and combating discrimination of all forms, including anti-Semitism, to safeguard the civil rights of all Americans.”
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, argues that the defendants discriminated against Jewish customers through various practices that hindered their access to services and the overall enjoyment of the coffee shop’s offerings. For instance, it details incidents where Harara, one of the shop’s owners, demanded that Jewish clients identify themselves based on their attire. In one instance, an employee claimed, “You are a man with a hat. You are a Jew. You are a Zionist. You don’t belong here.” In a separate case, Harara confronted another Jewish client, alleging support for “genocide,” and incorrectly accused them and their child of trespassing. Notably, neither client had expressed any political opinions during their visits.
The lawsuit further points out that on the first anniversary of Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, the coffee shop introduced two new beverages. Additionally, it alleges that an inverted red triangle adorns the exterior of the establishment, a symbol associated with anti-Semitic violence against Jews.
The DOJ and its Civil Rights Division have faced criticism for their silence regarding rising anti-Semitism in the wake of the October 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel. Attorney General Merrick Garland previously had a record addressing anti-Semitism during his confirmation hearings.
Notably, local coffee shops in Oakland have engaged in various radical leftist actions, including a refusal to serve police in 2018.
