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Oakland Palestinian Café Denounces DOJ’s Antisemitism Lawsuit as Political Attack

At a press conference, the owner called the Title II injunction a government-driven effort to muzzle his cafe’s pro-Palestinian advocacy.

Overview

  • Attorney General Pamela Bondi filed a Title II civil rights suit seeking an injunction against Jerusalem Coffee House for allegedly refusing service to Jewish customers in June 2024 and October 2024 incidents.
  • Owner Fathi Harara held a July 30 press conference to oppose the lawsuit and frame it as an attempt to silence Palestinian solidarity voices.
  • Harara’s attorney Glenn Katon characterized the DOJ case as a “cut-and-paste job” that relies on prior private suits without independent investigation.
  • The cafe has launched a fundraiser to cover mounting legal expenses and has raised over $18,000 toward its $100,000 goal.
  • Supporters from Jewish Voice for Peace and the ational Jewish Anti-ZAnti-Zionist Network joined the event to condemn the suit and defend the business’s political expression.