Brooklyn Palestinian Restaurant Ayat Sparks Controversy with Antisemitic Phrase on Menu

Owners insist the phrase is a call for Palestinian freedom, not a call for the elimination of Israel, amidst community backlash and support.

Ayat, a newly opened Palestinian restaurant in Brooklyn, has sparked controversy with its menu featuring the phrase 'From the river to the sea', which is considered antisemitic by the Anti-Defamation League.
The restaurant owners, Abdul Elenani and Ayat Masoud, insist the phrase is a call for freedom and rights for Palestinians, not a call for the elimination of Israel.
Community members have criticized the restaurant on social media, with some calling the phrase 'openly genocidal'.
The restaurant has faced backlash since the Hamas attack on Israel in October, with negative reviews and threatening voicemails.
Despite the controversy, some community members have shown support for the restaurant, praising its food and the owners' right to express their views.