Uh-oh. The owner of the Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland, in sunny California, is Fathi Abdulrahim Harara, and Fathi Abdulrahim Harara has a Jewish problem. He doesn’t want to serve Jews. He wants them out of his café, once discovered, and pronto, precisely because they are Jews and therefore, in his view, are thrice cursed. They are first cursed as the people who have been “most fierce in their opposition to Islam” (Qur’an 5:82) They are cursed, secondly, the way all Infidels are, as “the most vile of created beings.” (Qur’an 98:6) And they are cursed for still a third reason: they have managed to hold onto their tiny state against three major Arab attempts to snuff out the Jewish state’s young life, and what they call their “homeland” is land that was once possessed by Muslims, and so must belong to Muslims forever.
Fathi Abdulrahim Harara has been refusing to serve Jewish customers, apparently, for quite some time; there have been complaints; and now the Department of Justice (DOJ) is suing him for violating Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
More on the Jerusalem Coffee House’s antisemitic owner, and the world of woe he has just created for himself, can be found here: “DOJ files lawsuit against California cafe for kicking out Jewish patrons, discrimination,” by Mathilda Heller, Jerusalem Post, June 10, 2025:
The US Justice Department has filed a Title II lawsuit against the owners of the Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland, California, over its refusal to serve Jewish customers, the department announced on Tuesday.
The owners of the café – Fathi Abdulrahim Harara and Native Grounds LLC – are accused of discrimination against Jewish customers, in violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in places of public accommodation.
The lawsuit claims that on two separate occasions, Harara ordered Jewish customers – “identified because they were wearing baseball caps with Stars of David on them” – to exit the café.
In one of the incidents on June 10, 2024, an employee told a Jewish customer, Michael Radice, “You’re the Jew. You’re the Zionist. We don’t want you in our coffee shop. Get out.”
In the other, Harara accused another Jewish customer who was with his five-year-old son of supporting “genocide.”
The man, Jonathan Hirsch, can be seen in the video footage from October 26 telling Harara, “you can’t refuse service for a protected class.” Harara replies that Hirsch is wearing a “violent hat,” in reference to the star on his hat. He then asks Hirsch if he is a Zionist, to which the Jewish customer replies, “I don’t have to identify myself by my belief.”
So a cap with a Star of David on it is a “violent hat,” but apparently honoring a mass murder by naming an item on Harara’s menu the “Sweet Sinwar” is in Harara’s view perfectly alright.
Harara told Hirsch’s son “your dad’s a bitch,” a “dog” and a “piece of shit.” He then ordered the father and son to leave the café, and accused them of “trespassing” to the Oakland police.
The lawsuit adds that neither customer mentioned their political views to Harara or any other employees while at the coffee house.
The Hirsch father and son said nothing to which Harara could object. They were Jews, and that was all he needed to know, cursing the father (“a bitch,” “a dog,” a “piece of shit”) in front of his son, before demanding that they leave the premises. Apparently Harara hasn’t heard of Title II. But now he will.
In addition to refusing to serve Jewish customers, the café allegedly announced two new drinks – “Iced In Tea Fada,” an apparent reference to “intifada,” and “Sweet Sinwar,” an apparent reference to Yahya Sinwar – on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 massacre.
It’s not hard to get Fathi Abdulrahim Harara’s drift, is it? The “Iced In Tea Fada” refers to the two “Intifadas” (the word means a “shaking off”), that is, the two campaigns of terrorism— the First (1987-1993) and the Second Intifada (2000-2006)— carried out by Palestinians, in which thousands of Jews, almost all of them civilians, were murdered. Those acts of mass terrorism are something Fathi Abdulrahim Harara wants to celebrate at his establishment, naming one kind of iced tea as “Iced In Tea Fada” which his presumably heavily Arab clientele would find most amusing. And then, even more pointedly, he offers a pastry called “Sweet Sinwar” after Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the Hamas atrocities carried out on October 7, 2023. However ghastly, this kind of celebration of Hamas murders is not actionable, but refusing to serve customers who belong to a protected class — race, color, religion, or national origin — most definitely is.
The lawsuit also says that the café’s outside wall has red inverted triangles displayed. The red triangle is frequently used by vandals and pro-Palestine supporters, and is seen to symbolize Hamas….
Another way for Fathi Abdulrahim Harara to semaphore his support for Hamas, a group that the American government has designated as a “terrorist organization” is to plaster inverted red triangles on the café’s outside wall. Fellow Hamas supporters will have no trouble understanding this geometric signaling of hate.
Radice, however, sued the cafe in March, with the help of the Anti-Defamation League and Cleveland, Ohio-based law firm Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP.
The law firm is working pro bono for Radice in his case , and it’s no doubt a labor of love for lawyers named Benesh, Friedander, Coplan & Aronoff. Will the Jerusalem Café owner be able to similarly lawyer up, when he is likely to have to pay a small fortune in lawyer’s fees to defend him himself against the charge — an open-and-shut case, I’d say — of violating Title II of the 1964 Civil Rights Act?
Nor, one hopes, will the publicity about his bigotry do his business any good. Jewish customers, will not likely want to give him their custom. And there will be many non-Jews, offended by Fathi Abdulrahim Harara’s squalid antisemitism, who will also take their custom elsewhere, unwilling to patronize a place where the menu includes “Iced In Tea Fada”and “Sweet Sinwar.”Add to that loss the cost of defending himself both against the DOJ lawsuit under Title II, and the personal lawsuit brought by Mr. Redice on a charge of suffering unlawful discrimination. The DOJ lawsuit, if upheld, would lead to an injunction but not to a financial settlement. But Radice’s lawsuit could lead to Harara having not just to pay his legal fees, but also to pay something to the plaintiff.
Might the Jerusalem Coffee House, with such menu items as Iced In Tea Fada and the Sweet Sinwar, have to close, given all the legal fees Fathi Abdulrahim Harara now faces, and the possible need to pay a significant sum to Radice for discriminating against him?
Let us hope so.
George says
Where is Billy/Tony with his same repeated message?
Billy says
For you. First comes Friday, then comes Saturday…. Allah in Quran 5:51 says, “O you who have believed[Muslims], do not take the Jews and the Nasara(Christians) as friends. They are friends to one another. And whoever among you takes them as friends, so surely he is of them. Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.” See also Quran 2:63-65; 3:115; 4:144; 5:59-60, 82; 7:166. Allah in Qur’an 8:39 says, “And engage in war with them[Non-Muslims] until there will not be sedition and the religion will be completely to Allah…”
gravenimage says
George, I’m not sure why you are so angry at Billy for exposing the ugly truth about Islam.
It seems that all you have done hre is castigate this poster.
mgoldberg says
His repeated message is precise…. with quotes. Why do you object?
Eva says
Why would anyone want to buy anything from an arab anyway?
I’d have avoided his shop like the plague.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
You beat me to it. But in his defense, that restaurant was named “Jerusalem”, so as a Jew, it was natural for him to feel attracted to it. Just like a Russian here might be curious, if not attracted, to an establishment named Moscow
Eva says
True enough.
But once I realised who owned it, I wouldn’t have needed to be told to leave.
gravenimage says
I love hanging out in cafes and trying different coffees–it’s where I get a lot of my drawing and painting done. In the past–up until a couple of decades ago–I probably would have tried this cafe. Not now, though–even before I heard about the abuse of Jewish customers, too many red flags.
Joe1 says
What? You don’t want any of that jihad hospitality?
Eva says
Lol, I think I’ll give it a miss.
Edward Amos Brandwein says
I wouldn’t even THINK about setting foot in a coffee shop or restaurant run by ISLAMISTS
Wellington says
Dispositive of a slow takeover of the USA by Muslims and Leftists if we let them.
We must not let them.
tunde says
I remember seeing the video of him kicking them out, I believe. I’m glad to see the victim retaliating.
gravenimage says
+1
࿗Infidel࿘ says
If he believes that Jerusalem doesn’t belong to the Jews and doesn’t wanna service them, why doesn’t he rebrand it as “al-Quds coffee house”? At least that way, Jews would have felt less inclined to go there. Call something Jerusalem and obviously, Jews will wanna come, just like if someone named an eatery Kashi or Ayodhya and Hindus got curious
It’s taken a while for this lawsuit to happen: it should have happened last year. Even if the DOJ was too busy, why didn’t the California Equality Labs or one of their anti-discrimination jihad groups take on them? Only bright spot in this case was the ADL, for once, actually supporting a Jew
Incidentally, I happen to be somewhat libertarian on this: I believe that any store/restaurant has the right to refuse service to anyone (and ideally should say it, as many do). If a store employee told me that he doesn’t want to service Hindus, I’d promptly leave & take my money elsewhere: I wouldn’t even ask him whether his manager is available. While I laud Radice for getting this cafe embroiled in a lawsuit, a part of me wants to ask him, “Why, why, did you want to go there?” I know that the name “Jerusalem” of the cafe is provocative and would attract Jews in a way “al-Quds” wouldn’t, just like if a Pakistani restaurant was called “Delhi Restaurant” or something. But beyond that, why patronize people who hate you? I also had a look of the picture of that coffee house: it’s an ugly decoration
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Also, on Hugh’s question of whether or not the “Jerusalem” coffee house will lawyer up, I’m sure they can get CAIR to underwrite this jihad, at least under the table
gravenimage says
Few Infidels know what the hell “Al Quds” is. Most know about Jerusalem, and consider it a postive thing–of course, that would change if Muslims destroyed civilized Israel.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I hear you, but he was trying to attract a pro-Palestinian clientele. They all know what “al-Quds” is: the Palis definitely, and other Leftists would probably know, or at least be attracted to an exotic, Arab, muslim establishment
Calling it “Jerusalem” is false advertizing: anybody seeing it would think it’s an Israeli/Jew-friendly place. al-Quds would have been way more appropriate
gravenimage says
Infidel, sadly there *are* Muslims here in Oakland–but enough “Palestinians” to patronize this cafe and soley keep it going? I *really* doubt it.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Graven
Enough muslims look at themselves as citizens of the ummah, including Pakis & Bangladeshis, That cafe could easily attract most local muslims w/ enough publicity
Bret says
You cannot keep looking away from evil. This is discrimination Walking out , letting wrongs slide and not spending your money is what the people have been doing for decades, allowing this evil to continue and multiply. Evil needs to be put down like a rabid animal. Most of the evil left needs a good beating. They understand that.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I agree w/ you that supporting the jihad against Israel is evil. But I do believe in the freedom of people/businesses to not do business w/ people they don’t like. Many businesses explicitly say so: “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone”. If you don’t allow that, you have situations like that Colorado baker who got sued twice for not being willing to decorate a cake w/ messages celebrating gay marriage
There does come a point where we need to respect everybody’s freedom, as long as they’re not violating the rights of other people. Nobody has a “right” per se to coffee in a particular establishment: in fact, any sensible person would just keep moving and buying their stuff elsewhere. Most businesses are in the business of making money and would not discriminate in that manner, but in 2020, we saw all sorts of mainstream businesses cancel customers eg Discover Card refuse to honor gun purchase transactions. Some of the activity should be banned for violating people’s privacy, but other than that, the right of people to do – or not do – business w/ whichever entities they want should be respected
Just to flip the scenario, if a gun store refused to sell firearms to a muslim, would you ding them for that? That’s one more reason these sort of rights need to be respected
James Lincoln says
࿗Infidel࿘ says,
“If he believes that Jerusalem doesn’t belong to the Jews and doesn’t wanna service them, why doesn’t he rebrand it as “al-Quds coffee house”? At least that way, Jews would have felt less inclined to go there. ”
Maybe I’m being overly cynical, but perhaps the owner wanted to “bait Jews” to visit the coffeehouse – just so he could feel the “joy” of kicking them out.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Possible, in which case, he’s now run afoul of the DOJ
gravenimage says
Welcome to the Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland
………………………………….
*So* glad to hear this. I live just a couple of miles away from this cafe.
gravenimage says
More ugliness from this coffee hiuse:
ROOTED IN REVOLUTION
We aim to bring the spirit and purpose of the traditional coffee house to Oakland, land of the Ohlone, birthplace of the Black Panthers and home to multigenerational communities that continue to seek autonomy and self-determination, directly linked in heart and faith to liberation struggles around the world.
Jerusalem Coffee House embodies the same attributes as our flavors – spiritual, potent, and audacious, allowing it to be a truly welcoming abode to our people of Palestine, Oakland, the Bay Area and beyond. We’re excited to open up our space to you all and look forward to building with you over a delicious cup of coffee.
https://jerusalemcoffeehouse.com/our-story/
Never mind that Muslms would oppress and slaughter the Ohlone–and Infidel members of the Black Panthers, too–if they get the chance.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Yeah, I doubt that any “Nation of islam” member would be allowed to set up a mosque in Gaza: they’d be regarded like Bahai or Ahmadiyas
gravenimage says
And so far as I know, NOI members–if identified as such–are not allowed to worship at Al Aqsa Mosque.
bill says
OK i am sure he was just amking a point, but if Oakland is anything like my city it is overloaded with coffee bars. Just go to the next one. I am not a Jew but I would not drink his coffee and I do not patronise anything with a Arabic name on it.
gravenimage says
I don’t think that businesses in the free world should be allwoed to harass and kick out Jews.
Winston 101 says
I’d drink Folger’s instant coffee before I’d touch a drop of this Cafe Jihadi’s coffee.
Oh wait. I already drink Folger’s instant. so, never mind.
If I know a business is muslim owned I don’t patronize it. I don’t want to give my support to people who hate our country and ALL our country stands for. Even “moderate” muslims believe things that violate our Constitution. I don’t think “moderate” muslims would fight against the implementation of Sharia.
I currently am having trouble knowing who own’s what. The gas station, the grocery store, etc. Who owns the property is not necessarily who owns the business, or who works there. For example: the cheap gas station always has middle eastern men working there. Selling all manner of haram items. I looked up the business and it’s owned by a Chinese man. I’m still looking for an alternative. Anyone have any info on how to research ownership of a business?
Troybeam says
Several ways, county records IE: taxes etc, better business group, company’s web site. Go into business and ask to see business license, they have to post it. Health Department, law enforcement for any issues like calls etc.
Nothing is really hidden but at times its a chore to find information. Wikipedia may have it.
Follow the leads. Ask questions.
Troybeam says
Several ways, county records IE: taxes etc, better business group, company’s web site. Go into business and ask to see business license, they have to post it. Health Department, law enforcement for any issues like calls etc.
Nothing is really hidden but at times its a chore to find information. Wikipedia may have it.
Follow the leads. Ask questions.
Troybeam says
On Jerusalem House Coffee House, Israeli Arabs?
Not allowing Jewish persons inside coffee shop is simply imposing sharia law.
The more business that open up Islamic the more Islam operates inside of America, not a good thing people. I call this a quiet silent takeover as they weasel their way of life into society & by using the term “Islamophobic” for anyone that makes a complaint they will sue that person, have laws changed all to the benefit for Islam.
All this thanks to the democrats that altered the immigration status back in the late 1960’s.
In case your wondering about that sentence: Islam was banned from the United States because its a theocracy, a foreign government…….NOT A RELIGION. Constitution: only one government with Islam we now have another government working within our nation, they rule under sharia law, Islamic law.
Peter Williamson says
Hey buddy, got a light?