A California coffee shop is facing federal charges after allegedly refusing service to Jewish customers and promoting antisemitic rhetoric. The DOJ has filed a civil rights lawsuit under Title II to address what it calls clear-cut religious discrimination.
Key Facts:
- The DOJ filed a civil rights lawsuit against Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland, California, and its owner, Fathi Abdulrahim Harara.
- The business allegedly refused to serve Jewish customers on at least two occasions in 2024.
- Antisemitic symbols were reportedly displayed on the shop’s exterior, and offensive drink names were introduced on Oct. 7, 2024.
- The ADL filed a joint complaint on behalf of one customer, Michael Radice, citing harassment and antisemitic actions by the owner and staff.
- The DOJ’s action follows growing scrutiny of antisemitism in public institutions, including Columbia University.
The Rest of The Story:
The Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit Monday against Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland, alleging the business violated the Civil Rights Act by discriminating against Jewish customers.
The DOJ claims the business refused service to individuals visibly identified as Jewish and promoted antisemitic views through its products and public statements.
One customer, Michael Radice, says he was told to leave because of the Star of David on his hat.
Another customer and his child were also allegedly forced to leave and falsely reported to police for trespassing.
The DOJ also cited drinks introduced on Oct. 7, 2024—“Iced In Tea Fada” and “Sweet Sinwar”—as glorifying terrorism and mocking the victims of the Hamas attacks on Israel.
“This behavior cannot be tolerated anywhere,” said Marc Levine of the ADL.
DOJ’s Harmeet Dhillon called the actions “illegal, intolerable, and reprehensible.”
Commentary:
This case marks a turning point in how our institutions, under new leadership, are treating rising antisemitism in America.
It shows a clear change in priorities since the Trump administration returned to power and began holding offenders accountable—something the last administration failed to do time and again.
The lawsuit reflects what millions of Americans have felt for years: that Jewish Americans have been abandoned by liberal institutions and even targeted in public spaces.
When a coffee shop in Oakland can openly serve antisemitic rhetoric with their drinks and get away with it, there’s a rot that needs to be exposed.
The Trump DOJ is not standing by while Jewish citizens are harassed and vilified.
Under the prior administration, radicalism masked as activism was often ignored or enabled.
That era is over.
Title II exists for a reason, and it’s finally being used the way it was intended—to protect all Americans equally.
These acts weren’t subtle.
They were deliberate and symbolic.
Naming a drink after the “intifada” and celebrating the October 7 Hamas attack isn’t just offensive—it’s dangerous.
That sort of incitement has no place in a civilized society.
This is what leadership looks like.
When the DOJ says “we will not tolerate” antisemitic violence or incitement, they’re not just issuing press statements—they’re suing those responsible.
That sends a message to every business, campus, and activist group: the rules apply to you, too.
The Bottom Line:
The DOJ’s lawsuit against Jerusalem Coffee House is a welcome move to restore accountability in cases of open antisemitism.
Under new leadership, federal authorities are finally taking strong action to defend Jewish Americans’ civil rights.
The prior administration let incidents like this slide.
This one is making sure justice is served.
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