Nyc Coffee Shop Bans Pro-israel Congressman Who Bought A Drink: ‘see How It Doesn’t Taste Like Genocide Juice?’

A New York City java shop is facing a Department of Justice investigation aft banning a congressman complete his views connected Israel.

Poetica Coffee posted a photograph of NY-10 Representative Dan Goldman astatine nan Brooklyn outlet, pinch a caustic station saying they would person turned him distant if they had recognized him astatine nan time.

The post, which has since been taken down, read: “Hey Congressman Dan Goldman, we spot that you stopped by our shop coming for a coffee. Do you spot really it doesn’t sensation for illustration genocide juice? Or are you still having a difficult clip telling nan difference?

“See, present astatine Poetica, we don’t service racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, aliases anyone successful between. Too bad we didn’t admit you correct away, aliases we would person turned you away.

“We issued you a refund—we don’t request your money (it’s astir apt coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your nonaccomplishment connected Tuesday. Don’t ever travel to Poetica.”

This incident is now being investigated by nan Department of Justice (DOJ)’s civilian authorities division.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon posted to X connected Monday: “Federal rule prohibits nationalist accommodations specified arsenic java shops from discriminating against patrons based connected their race, religion, aliases nationalist origin.

“These actions are not only reprehensible, they’re perchance illegal. The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation, and will bring an enforcement action if warranted.”

Rep Goldman said nan java shop’s onslaught was “a sad authorities of affairs”, adding that he had been treated good by unit astatine nan clip of his visit.

“I had specified a bully relationship pinch nan barista successful nan java shop,” Goldman told CNN. “She was wearing a hijab, I didn’t cognize her, but she couldn’t person been nicer and allowed my girl to spell usage nan bathroom.

“I honestly was truthful grateful for her kindness that I felt for illustration I should bargain a coffee, and truthful I did, and I gave her a ample tip. It’s a reflection, I think, of a sad authorities of affairs that without knowing me, we could person had specified a bully interaction.”

Goldman, a Levi Strauss heir, is facing a superior for his spot June 23, wherever polling suggests he will suffer to different Jewish candidate, Mamdani-backed Brad Lander.

Both Lander and Goldman’s views connected Israel person been focal points of their campaigns. They some specify themselves arsenic a wide Zionists, however, Lander, erstwhile comptroller of New York City, has called Israel’s actions successful Gaza a genocide and has described nan curen of Palestinians arsenic apartheid.

Goldman has pushed backmost connected nan genocide claims and objected to nan usage of nan connection “occupation” erstwhile describing Israel’s actions successful nan West Bank.

Following Poetica’s post, its Facebook page is successful nan midst of a review war, pinch immoderate leaving antagonistic reviews accusing nan shop of being antisemitic, and others leaving 5 stars, saying it is “a cafe connected nan correct broadside of history.”

Poetica’s Instagram page appears to person been taken down, pinch searches connected nan level now showing 2 accounts calling themselves Poetica pinch messages against Jewish hate.