DOJ opens civil rights investigation into Brooklyn coffee shop that banned congressman for supporting Israel

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon confirmed the federal probe Monday, citing concerns that the coffee shop's actions may have violated federal anti-discrimination laws governing public accommodations.

“Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin. These actions are not only reprehensible, they’re potentially illegal. The Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation and will bring an enforcement action if warranted,” Dhillon said.

According to The New York Post, the controversy began after Williamsburg-based Poetica Coffee posted a photo of Goldman standing at the register and mocked him in a social media post that was later deleted. “We see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee. Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice?” the business wrote. “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.”

The post further targeted Goldman over his support for Israel, stating: “We don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Don’t ever come to Poetica.”

According to the shop, Goldman was refunded the $9.82 he spent during the visit. Goldman later said he had stopped into the coffee shop while accompanying his 7-year-old daughter, who needed to use the restroom. Responding to the social media post, Goldman said, “I am sorry to see this post. The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me — allowing her to use the bathroom even though we had not purchased anything. I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved.”

Poetica Coffee is owned by Parviz Mukhamadkulov, who has frequently used social media to criticize Israel and its military campaign in Gaza. According to the Washington Free Beacon, Mukhamadkulov has also donated to the congressional campaign of Maine Democratic candidate Graham Platner, a progressive challenger who has been critical of Israel and US support for the Jewish state.

One of Mukhamadkulov's coffee shops was reportedly previously cited by New York City health inspectors for multiple sanitation violations, including conditions involving flies and cleanliness concerns. The outlet reported that health department records documented the violations before they were ultimately corrected. Mukhamadkulov has also used social media to share anti-Israel content and criticism of Israeli military operations in Gaza. Despite the owner's activism, Poetica's website states that “whoever walks through the door is treated with unconditional dignity.”

The incident comes amid rising antisemitism in the United States following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks and the ensuing war in Gaza. Critics of the coffee shop argued that singling out Goldman, who is Jewish, while invoking AIPAC, a prominent pro-Israel advocacy organization, raised concerns about anti-Jewish discrimination.

Goldman is currently seeking reelection and faces a Democratic primary challenge from former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. Both candidates identify as Jewish and describe themselves as progressive Zionists, though the two have diverged on rhetoric surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. During a recent debate, Lander characterized Israel's military actions in Gaza as a "genocide," while Goldman declined to adopt that description.