New York Coffee Shop Stirs Debate with Social Media Post

A small coffee shop chain in New York City stirred controversy with a critical social media post targeting a congressman. The post highlighted increasing tensions over support for Israel in one of New York’s most progressive and predominantly Jewish congressional districts.

Representative Dan Goldman, who is contending with a strong primary challenge from Brad Lander, visited Poetica Coffee in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The visit occurred outside his official district. Mr. Goldman was with his 7-year-old daughter on the last day of early voting in a Democratic primary race.

Shortly after his visit, Poetica Coffee posted on Instagram, apparently authored by the shop’s owner, expressing in clear terms that the congressman was not welcomed there. The post included a photo of Mr. Goldman at the shop taken from a surveillance camera.

The caption read, “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?” It added, “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.”

Mr. Goldman, who has been defending Israel, a stance that has become controversial in his re-election campaign in the 10th District covering parts of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, responded. In the comments on the post, he explained that he visited Poetica so his daughter could use the restroom and he purchased a coffee as a gesture of thanks.