NEW YORK — A Brooklyn coffee shop’s decision to deny future service to U.S. Representative Dan Goldman over his support for Israel has sparked protests, drawn national attention and prompted a federal civil rights investigation, according to public statements from the business, the congressman and the U.S. Department of Justice.
The controversy began after Goldman, a Democratic congressman representing parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan, visited a location of Poetica Coffee with his daughter on Sunday. The coffee shop later published a social media post stating that Goldman was no longer welcome because of his views on Israel and refunded his purchase, according to copies of the now-deleted post cited by multiple media outlets.
In the post, Poetica accused Goldman of being a “genocide enabler” and said staff would have refused service had they recognized him at the time. The company subsequently removed the message amid growing criticism.
Goldman said he had experienced a friendly interaction during the visit and expressed disappointment over the café’s response. “The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me,” Goldman wrote on social media, adding that he had purchased coffee to thank staff for their kindness.
The incident quickly became a focal point in broader debates over the Israel-Gaza conflict and political expression in public-facing businesses. Demonstrators gathered outside Poetica’s Brooklyn location this week, with both supporters and critics of the café’s decision holding rallies. New York police established barriers to separate opposing groups, and reports indicated no arrests were made.
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that its Civil Rights Division had opened an investigation into the matter. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said federal law prohibits places of public accommodation from discriminating against customers based on protected characteristics, including religion and national origin. The department said it would determine whether any civil rights violations occurred.
Poetica has not publicly addressed the federal investigation in detail. The company’s social media accounts were reportedly taken offline following the backlash, while online review platforms flagged heightened public attention surrounding the business.
The dispute comes amid continuing tensions in the United States over the conflict in the Middle East, which has prompted protests, boycotts and public disagreements across universities, businesses and political institutions. Goldman, who is Jewish and has generally supported Israel while also calling for efforts toward peace, said the episode underscored the need for dialogue rather than division.
As of Thursday, the Justice Department’s investigation remained ongoing. No enforcement action had been announced, and details regarding any potential legal proceedings remained unclear.
