Overview

• The Justice Department sued Jerusalem Coffee House on June 9 under the Civil Rights Act, alleging staff refused service to two Jewish customers wearing Star of David caps.
• Prosecutors say owner Fathi Abdulrahim Harara and employees demanded that one customer and his young son leave and falsely reported them to police for trespassing when they declined.
• Federal filings highlight menu items like “Sweet Sinwar” and “Iced In Tea Fada” as symbols of hostility toward Jewish patrons.
• Glenn Katon, the cafe’s attorney, argues that the suit is part of the administration’s effort to intimidate pro-Palestinian expression by branding it as antisemitism.
• Critics warn that the lawsuit risks turning legitimate antisemitism concerns into a tool against businesses critical of the administration’s Israel policy.