Jerusalem Coffee House, a cafe in Oakland, California, has abruptly closed its doors, citing safety concerns and blaming alleged harassment from "Zionist" opponents for its shutdown. The closure comes as the business faces multiple discrimination lawsuits.
The establishment is being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and the Brandeis Center for Justice. These legal battles stem from allegations of mistreatment of Jewish customers.
The DOJ's suit, filed against proprietor Abdulrahim Harara and Native Grounds LLC, accuses the business of violating Title II of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, and national origin. A federal trial date for the DOJ case is set for October 26.
A representative for the cafe stated in a Substack post that the closure was necessary to prepare for the upcoming court date. The post characterized the legal actions as an attempt to "repress free speech" regarding the cafe's pro-Gaza stance and detailed alleged difficulties, including harassment and property damage.
The ADL and Brandeis Center lawsuits were initiated by patrons Jonathan Hirsch and Michael Radice. Both individuals claim they experienced discrimination after visiting the cafe while wearing hats featuring the Star of David. In footage of one incident, owner Abdulrahim Harara can be heard telling Hirsch to leave after observing his Star of David hat, stating, "This is a violent hat. Are you a Zionist? Leave."
Radice's lawsuit alleges he was accosted by an employee who questioned his Jewish identity while he wore a Star of David hat. He further claims that on a subsequent visit, Harara and other employees followed him outside, calling him a "Jew" and a "Zionist."
The cafe gained notoriety in 2024 for a special menu commemorating the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel, which featured drinks with provocative names.
Despite the closure and legal challenges, the cafe's representatives expressed determination, stating, "Despite it all, we’ve continued building the work that matters most to us." They have not provided a timeline for reopening.
Support for the cafe has come from some Bay Area businesses and pro-Palestinian writers, who have organized fundraisers for its legal defense and defended the establishment as an "important and necessary space."