Palestinian Restaurant Hosts Shabbat Dinner Amid Backlash for Anti-Zionist Politics

Over 1,300 guests attend event at Ayat in Brooklyn, affirming coexistence and showing support for the restaurant's stance against Israeli occupation.

The owners of Ayat, a Palestinian restaurant chain in New York City, hosted a Shabbat dinner for 1,300 guests as a response to online backlash and death threats they received for their anti-Zionist politics.
The event was held at Ayat's location in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, and was attended by hundreds of people, including Jews and Muslims, affirming coexistence and showing support for the restaurant's anti-occupation politics.
The restaurant owners, Abdul Elenani and Ayat Masoud, have always been vocal about their political stance, which has been a subject of criticism since the restaurant's inception.
The Shabbat dinner was seen as a moment of solidarity amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
Despite the online abuse, Elenani stated that their focus is on doing something positive in the world.