Overview
- The visiting woman and her Israeli partner say a staffer refused service after noticing Hebrew on a “Falafel” shirt, called them “Zionists,” photographed them, and issued a house ban.
- In a statement, the collective denies antisemitic intent and argues the design is culturally offensive for reducing a region to food during Gaza’s hunger crisis, while also alleging the pair acted aggressively.
- Neukölln district antisemitism and queer officer Carl Chung wrote to the café saying its explanation does not dispel the allegation and criticizing the apparent linkage of Hebrew, Zionism, and genocide.
- The shirt is part of the Falafel Humanity charity project, whose proceeds support the Israeli peace group Women Wage Peace, and its designers say it symbolizes shared heritage and coexistence.
- Israeli‑Palestinian restaurant Kanaan announced free falafel in response, calling coexistence no provocation, as the café reported threats, disabled comments, and said staff and guests faced harassment.