It's not in the least bit surprising to see antisemitism thriving in New York City under the "leadership" of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who carried over the hatred for Israel he displayed as a state assemblyman to his mayoral campaign in a city one would think would soundly reject such a disastrous candidate for public office.
But 51 percent of the New Yorkers who voted in the 2025 election picked Mamdani. Since that time, he has used his "celebrity" status in the Big Apple to endorse three congressional challengers who share his utter contempt for Israel, with two of the three looking like sure wins in the primary, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
One of them is former NYC comptroller and failed mayoral candidate Brad Lander (D), who polls show has opened up a big lead on incumbent Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10). As we reported earlier, though both of them are Jewish, the Hochul-backed Goldman has tried to straddle the fence on the Israel-Hamas war, while Lander has coddled the pro-Hamas wing of the Democrat Party in the district, accusing Israel of genocide, apartheid, and occupation.
READ MORE: Things Go From Bad to Worse for Dan Goldman on the Eve of the NYC Primary
As another example of the problems some Jewish Democrats like Goldman have faced in New York City as they try to walk the line on the Israel issue, the Williamsburg, Brooklyn location of the Poetica coffee shop posted a very public nastygram on Instagram and in a Facebook post to the congressman on Sunday after Goldman was spotted placing an order at their store. Their message: don't ever come back:
Hey Congressman Dan Goldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee. Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference?
See, here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between. 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.
Goldman responded by noting he was "sorry" to see the post but said that the "barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me." He also wrote that he hoped the barista would be allowed to keep the tip he gave:
Truly wild stuff from a local NYC coffee shop — the city has become a very broken place
— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) June 22, 2026
Can't help but also notice Dan Goldman's thoroughly dignified response
Also wondering @TheLeoTerrell @HarmeetKDhillon if this legal pic.twitter.com/qfyLX7P6Bt
In New York City we have reached a new level of antisemitism where Jews are being publicly barred from businesses thanks to Mayor Mamdani and his vile words against Jews and AIPAC. The mayor is projecting his vile beliefs as he is an ardent supporter of CAIR.
— Beth Phillips (@bethsphillips) June 22, 2026
The coffee shop… pic.twitter.com/jNDexDbmV0
Harmeet Dhillon, the DOJ's Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, was made aware of the incident and announced late Monday afternoon that her department has launched an investigation:
The @CivilRights is aware of the denial of service taunts to @danielsgoldman by Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn.
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.
If you have been denied service at a public accommodation on the basis of a protected characteristic, we at @TheJusticeDept want to know!
The @CivilRights is aware of the denial of service taunts to @danielsgoldman by Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn.
— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) June 22, 2026
Federal law prohibits public accommodations such as coffee shops from discriminating against patrons based on their race, religion, or national origin. These actions are… https://t.co/reOawYeEzU
The backlash against Poetica has gotten intense for them in other ways, too. Their Instagram page appears to have been removed, and negative Yelp reviews are starting to pile up. Comments to the post that remains on the Facebook page for the Lorimer Street location are also trending against the coffee shop.
Amazingly, there is a statement on Poetica Coffee's website that reads "whoever walks through the door is treated with unconditional dignity." Except for Jewish customers, it would seem. So much for "COEXIST" or whatever, right?
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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