Police responded as protestors clashed June 24 outside a New York coffee shop that targeted Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman over Israel’s war in Gaza.
Pro- and anti-Israel protestors clashed on the sidewalk outside Poetica Coffee in Park Slope, shouting in each other’s faces until officers with the New York Police Department (NYPD) intervened and separated them, according to the New York Post. The clash follows a Sunday Facebook post from the coffee shop instructing Goldman to never return to the shop. Goldman lost Tuesday’s Democratic primary to former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander.
Pro-Israel protestors yelled, “end Jew hatred,” according to footage. One pro-Palestine rabbi could be heard yelling “Zion Nazi terrorist” near a pro-Israel protestor. The rabbi wore a keffiyeh and held a Palestinian flag. The pro-Israel protestor reportedly returned insults and told the rabbi he had “very bad breath” before backing away.
Poetica Coffee claimed their drinks don’t “taste like genocide juice” in their post. “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?” the post read.
The post, featuring Lily Allen’s song, “F*ck You” and a picture of Rep. Goldman, continued, “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.”
The coffee shop appeared to issue the congressman a $9.82 refund, according to the post. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and individuals affiliated with it were the top contributors to Goldman’s campaign from 2025 to 2026, donating a combined $194,489, according to OpenSecrets. (RELATED: Former Olympian Arrested For Allegedly Vandalizing Newly Restored Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool)
Rep. Goldman responded to the incident Monday on CNN.
“I had such a nice interaction with the barista in the coffee shop,” the congressman said. “She was wearing a hijab, I didn’t know her, but she couldn’t have been nicer and allowed my daughter to go use the bathroom, and I honestly was so grateful for her kindness that I felt like I should buy a coffee, and so I did, and I gave her a large tip.”
“It’s a reflection, I think, of a sad state of affairs that without knowing me, we could have had such a nice interaction,” he added.
End Jew Hatred Director Michelle Ahdoot condemned the incident, according to the New York Post. “No New Yorkers should have to pass an Israel loyalty test to buy a cup of coffee,” she said.
Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss of Jews Against Zionism offered a different sentiment, the outlet reported. “We believe that every step people are taking to stand up to this unjust occupation and genocide is terrific,” he said, alluding to the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division has opened an investigation into the incident in a June 22 statement on X.
Goldman has not voted in favor of military aid to Israel since 2024, though he has opposed banning such actions as well by arguing they provide the U.S. with leverage, The New York Times reported. In August 2025, he called the situation in Gaza a “humanitarian catastrophe” and alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was pursuing self-serving interests rather than those of his country’s people in a statement.
The war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel. They killed over 1,200 people, 46 U.S. citizens among them, and seized 254 hostages, according to an October 2025 statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.