Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland, California, has temporarily closed its doors as it prepares for a federal civil rights trial scheduled for October. The Palestinian-owned café is involved in three lawsuits alleging discrimination against Jewish customers.
The Justice Department filed a case in June 2025 under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, alleging that the café refused service to Jewish customers, including individuals wearing Star of David caps, and subjected them to insults. A federal judge previously rejected the owners' attempt to dismiss the lawsuit. The café owners have stated that the lawsuits aim to suppress their pro-Palestinian political expression.
Two other lawsuits were filed by Jewish advocacy groups. The Anti-Defamation League and Benesch sued on behalf of Michael Radice, who claims he was denied service and faced antisemitic slurs. The Louis D. Brandeis Center filed a state lawsuit on behalf of Jonathan Hirsch, who alleges he and his young son were ejected from the premises after a confrontation over his Star of David hat.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division stated that federal public-accommodation laws apply regardless of a business's political views and that refusing service to Jewish customers is illegal and reprehensible.
The coffee shop had previously drawn scrutiny for menu items named after figures and events associated with Palestinian resistance, including "Sweet Sinwar" and "Iced in Tea Fada." The co-founder of the coffee shop denied that "Sweet Sinwar" referred to a specific Hamas leader and stated that the menu's October 7th rollout coincided with the business' anniversary, not the anniversary of the Hamas attack.