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New York coffee shop bars Jewish Congressman, 'we don't serve genocide enablers'

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A New York City coffee shop, Poetica Coffee, banned Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman, labeling him a "genocide enabler."
  • The coffee shop posted about the incident on social media, including a refund and a song, before apparently deleting its accounts.
  • Congressman Goldman, who is Jewish, has been critical of the Israeli government's actions in Gaza.

Poetica Coffee, a New York City-based chain, banned Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman from its establishment on Sunday, citing his alleged status as a "genocide enabler." The incident occurred when Goldman visited the cafe with his child. The coffee shop later posted a photo of Goldman on Facebook and Instagram, accompanied by a message stating, "We don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers. Too bad we didn't recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away."

We don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers. Too bad we didn't recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away.

— Poetica CoffeeThe coffee shop's statement on why Congressman Dan Goldman was banned.

The coffee shop claimed to have issued Goldman an unrequested refund of $9.82, with a message suggesting the money was likely from AIPAC. Poetica Coffee also alluded to Goldman's upcoming primary election challenge, posting, "Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don't ever come to Poetica." The post was reportedly accompanied by Lily Allen's song "F*** you." The coffee shop's social media accounts appear to have been subsequently taken down.

Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don't ever come to Poetica.

— Poetica CoffeeA parting message from the coffee shop to Congressman Dan Goldman.

Poetica Coffee's actions have drawn varied reactions. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed gladness that the post was removed and praised Goldman's response. Radio host Ari Hoffman suggested the incident demonstrated that "no matter how left you are, you can never be left enough for the radicals." Rabbi Elchanan Poupko questioned Poetica's service denial process, suggesting it might violate civil rights law.

I'm glad Poetica took down their post, and I thought Representative Goldman's reply was extremely gracious.

— Zohran MamdaniNew York Mayor's reaction to the incident and Goldman's response.

Congressman Goldman, who is Jewish, has adopted a critical stance towards the Israeli government and the war in Gaza. While supporting Israel's existence, he has described the conflict as a "humanitarian crisis" and characterized the current Israeli coalition as an "extremist government" that "unjustly hurts Palestinians." Goldman stated that he made the purchase as a thank-you after his seven-year-old daughter needed to use the bathroom.

This story proves that no matter how left you are, you can never be left enough for the radicals.

— Ari HoffmanRadio host's commentary on the incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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