A New York City coffee shop, Poetica Coffee, has faced backlash after refunding Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) and declaring it would not serve him due to his pro-Israel stance. The shop posted a statement on Facebook, calling Goldman a "genocide enabler" and saying it would have turned him away if staff had recognized him. Goldman, who was with his young daughter, responded that the barista had been kind to them. The shop later clarified the refund was the barista's idea.
The incident has sparked a wave of negative reviews on Yelp, prompting the platform to temporarily pause new reviews while investigating potential review bombing. Local Jewish leaders have condemned the shop's post. Goldman is currently in a Democratic primary race against former City Comptroller Brad Lander, who is critical of Israel.
Core Facts & Immediate Action
Poetica Coffee refunded Rep. Dan Goldman after he purchased a coffee, citing his pro-Israel stance. The shop posted a statement on Facebook calling him a "genocide enabler" and saying it would not serve him. Goldman responded that the barista had been kind to him and his daughter. The incident has led to a surge in negative reviews on Yelp, which has temporarily paused new reviews.
Deeper Dive & Context
The Shop's Statement
Poetica Coffee's Facebook post accused Goldman of enabling genocide, referencing his support for Israel amid the war in Gaza. The post also mentioned that the shop does not serve "racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between." The shop said it would not accept Goldman's money, suggesting it came from AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobbying group.
Goldman's Response
Goldman expressed disappointment in the shop's remarks but praised the barista for her kindness to his daughter. He also mentioned that he had tipped the barista for her service. The shop later clarified that the refund was the barista's idea, not the management's.
Public Reaction
The incident has drawn criticism from local Jewish leaders, who condemned the shop's post. Yelp has temporarily paused new reviews for Poetica Coffee due to a surge in negative reviews, which the platform is investigating for potential review bombing. The shop's previous reviews were mostly positive, praising its service and coffee quality.
Political Context
Goldman is currently in a Democratic primary race against Brad Lander, who has been critical of Israel. The shop's post referenced Goldman's potential loss in the primary, which is set for Tuesday.
Long-Term Implications
The incident highlights the growing polarization around Israel's policies and the impact of political stances on businesses. It also raises questions about free speech and the boundaries of political expression in commercial spaces.