Palestinian owner of Jerusalem Coffee Shop in Oakland responds to US Department of Justice antisemitism lawsuit
Abdulrahim Harara, owner of the Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland , made his first public comments since the United States Department of Justice launched a lawsuit against him.
"These past two years, as the cafe has faced unprecedented harassment and unprecedented oppression," said Harara, surrounded by supporters. "I thank the community for standing in solidarity (with) us."
On the advice of his lawyers, Harara did not answer direct questions about the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that on two sperate occasions, Harara refused to serve Jewish customers.
"I think it would be reprehensible if someone was denied service based on their religion. That's not what happened here," said Glenn Katon, one of Harara's attorneys.
His lawyers claim the incidents were staged attempts to incite and provoke Harara, who is Palestinian.
RELATED: Oakland coffee shop sued by DOJ for alleged discrimination against Jewish customers
Monadel Herzallah is with the U.S. Palestinian Community Network. He called it, "a trap."
"What took place was a clear act of provocation. And as a national organization, we are very well aware of similar incidents that have taken place in the Unites States," Herzallah said.
Cafe patrons, many who were Jewish, also spoke in support of Harara. Some claimed this is a case where antisemitism is being weaponized to silence and dehumanize Palestinians.
"This lawsuit comes straight out of the authoritarian playbook. In Project Esther , the right-wing think tank, the Heritage Foundation , lays out a multifaceted campaign against the Palestinian liberation and solidarity movement, targeting us legal, politically and financially with false accusations of antisemitism," said AJ, with the International Jewish Anti-Zionism Network.
"So this complaint is complete and utter crap, because I see him serve people -- who are there to terrorize -- with grace and with love," said Ethos, an East Bay resident.
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But attorney Paul Eckles, with the Brandeis Center , who represents one of the plaintiffs, Jonathan Hirsch, disagrees. He provided video of the incident and says it shows his client was discriminated against just for wearing a hat with the Star of David.
In one exchange in the video Between Harara and Hirsch:
Harara: "It's on camera? I love Jews. I love Jewish people."
Hirsch: "Then why did you discriminate against me?"
Harara : "I asked you repeatedly to leave because you are antagonizing people."
Hirsch : "No, you didn't."
Harara : "Yeah, I did."
Hirsch: "You asked me if I was a Zionist!"
"The defendant also gave a statement to the police afterwards, where he didn't raise any other issue arguing that my client did anything wrong. Sole basis for kicking him out was that he was wearing a baseball cap with the Jewish star on it," Eckles said.
A trial date has not been set.
