Brooklyn cafe refunds and bars Rep. Dan Goldman over his Israel stance

A Brooklyn coffee shop in Park Slope, Poetica Coffee, drew backlash after it said it had refunded Democratic Congressman Dan Goldman and would no longer serve him because of his support for Israel. The incident happened after Goldman, who is running in New York’s 10th Congressional District Democratic primary, bought coffee there with his 7-year-old daughter.

According to a social media post later deleted after heavy criticism, the café wrote, “We do not serve fascists or genocide enablers here. Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away.” It said Goldman’s $9.82 purchase had been refunded and that he was not welcome back. The post also added, “That money probably coming from AIPAC anyways.”

Goldman replied that the barista had been kind to him and his daughter, even letting her use the bathroom without a purchase. “I bought the coffee to thank the barista. Hope she got the tip,” he wrote, later expanding that she “could not have been nicer” and that he hoped the staff member received the gratuity she deserved.

The dispute comes amid Goldman’s primary race against former New York City comptroller Brad Lander, who has accused Israel of committing “genocide” and is backed by mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. Goldman describes himself as “pro-Israel and supportive of peace.”