Protest targets cafe that banned Rep. Dan Goldman over Israel support

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Jun 24, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

NEW YORK — Protesters rallied Wednesday outside a Brooklyn cafe that banned Rep. Dan Goldman over his support for Israel.

A couple of dozen people turned out for the demonstration organized by an antisemitism watchdog group that accuses management of Poetica Coffee of discrimination over a now-deleted social media post vowing not to serve Goldman or other “genocide enablers,” a reference for Israel backers.

“What took place was very disturbing. Jews shouldn’t have to take a political test to be treated like anyone else,” Zirkle told the News. “To be met with such vile rhetoric is really disgusting.”

Several customers inside the coffee shop in Williamsburg wore keffiyehs to show support for the cafe’s pro-Palestinian stand, but there was no confrontation between the two sides, Zirkle said.

The group says Goldman was targeted because he is Jewish but Israel critics say they take action against supporters of Israel amid the bloody wars in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon.

The rally outside the cafe on Lorimer Street comes the day after Goldman lost his Democratic primary in the NY-10 district to Brad Lander by a landslide nearly 2-1 margin.

Israel policy was a big issue in the campaign between the two Jewish candidates with Lander, a self-proclaimed liberal Zionist, coming out against all U.S. military aid to Israel. Goldman relied heavily on backing from pro-Israel donors.

The defeated congressman said he had a positive experience at the cafe on Monday and was shocked to see a social media post telling him not to come back.

He said he does not believe any law enforcement investigation is needed because he is a public figure and should be ready to accept criticism of his stances.

Lawfare has filed a complaint against Poetica with the state Human Rights Commission.

The Trump Department of Justice also says it plans to open a civil rights probe into the coffee shop, which has several locations in Brooklyn and the East Village.

_____