New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is drawing significant criticism for his refusal to condemn a local coffee shop that reportedly barred a Jewish congressman who holds pro-Israel views.
Coffee Shop’s Social Media Post Sparks Outrage
The controversy centers on Poetica, a coffee shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The establishment posted a message on social media, which has since been removed, stating that U.S. Representative Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., was not welcome after he visited the store with his daughter on Monday. Mamdani has not publicly commented on the incident, with a spokesperson declining to provide a statement when approached by The New York Times.
The silence from the mayor has drawn sharp rebukes. Josh Kraushaar, a political analyst, described the situation as “shameful” in a social media post, highlighting Mamdani’s lack of comment. Leaders from organizations focused on combating antisemitism have also voiced their dismay. One prominent figure stated on X, formerly Twitter, that “we’ve reached the stage of antisemitism where Jews are being publicly barred from businesses.” The statement continued, “A coffee shop in Mamdani’s New York City told Jewish Congressman Dan Goldman he wasn’t welcome in their store.” Journalist Melissa Braunstein suggested that “the cafe is implementing Mamdani’s wishes,” a sentiment echoed by others critical of the mayor.
Accusations of Discrimination and Political Rivalry
Poetica Coffee’s now-deleted social media post indicated that they would have refused service to Congressman Goldman had they recognized him. The post directly referenced Goldman’s stance on the conflict in Gaza, stating, “Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference?” The message further declared, “Here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between.” It concluded with a direct message to Goldman, “Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund—we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica.” The coffee chain subsequently removed its Instagram page amid widespread online backlash.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of political rivalry. Mayor Mamdani is actively working to unseat the incumbent Congressman Goldman in an upcoming election, despite Goldman being a vocal critic of former President Trump and supporting many progressive policies. Notably, Goldman did not endorse Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, citing concerns about the mayor’s approach to the city’s Jewish community. Mamdani had publicly supported Brad Lander, a former New York City Comptroller, in his bid to represent Goldman’s district, which encompasses Lower Manhattan and affluent parts of Brooklyn.
The primary election for Democratic voters will determine whether Goldman secures a third term in the House. With both candidates largely aligning on policy, the election has become a contest focusing on support for Israel. Lander has pledged to advocate more strongly for the Palestinian cause if elected to Congress. Goldman, meanwhile, has supported military aid to Israel following the October 7, 2023, attacks and has sought to distance himself from more extreme rhetoric used by some on the left to criticize Israeli actions.
Goldman’s Response and Official Investigation
Congressman Goldman offered a measured reaction to the coffee shop’s actions. “I’m sorry to see this post,” he stated. “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.”
The matter has also attracted the attention of government officials. The Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights announced on Tuesday that her office has initiated an investigation into the incident. “Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin,” the Assistant Attorney General stated. “These actions are not only reprehensible, they’re potentially illegal.”
