A coffee shop in New York City that describes itself as practicing “radical hospitality”

has rejected the business of a Jewish Democratic congressman and taunted him publicly on social media about drinking “genocide juice” for his support of Israel.

The Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation on Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn to look into what the DOJ assistant attorney general for civil rights, Harmeet Dhillon, described as “potentially illegal” in a post on X. Dhillon said that the DOJ “will bring an enforcement action if warranted.”

On Sunday, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) visited Poetica with his seven-year-old daughter. His daughter used Poetica’s restroom, so Goldman made sure to buy a coffee as a thank you, he posted on social media. “She was wearing a hijab, I didn’t know her, but she couldn’t have been nicer,” Goldman said of the coffee shop server during a CNN interview.

In a now deleted social media post, the official Poetica account posted after Goldman’s visit: “Hey Congressman Dan Goldman, we see that you stopped by our shop today for a coffee. Do you see how it doesn’t taste like genocide juice? Or are you still having a hard time telling the difference? See, here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between,” the post continued. “Too bad we didn’t recognize you right away, or we would have turned you away. We issued you a refund — we don’t need your money (it’s probably coming from AIPAC anyways). Enjoy your loss on Tuesday. Don’t ever come to Poetica.”

On the Poetica Coffee website, it states the model of the coffee shop is “a café where the door doesn’t close on anyone, where tea gets poured before anyone asks who you are.”

Goldman responded via comment, “I’m sorry to see this post. The barista could not have been nicer to my seven-year-old daughter and me. …I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved.”

The Poetica account replied again: “We have some of the nicest, most amazing people working with us. It was actually her idea to refund the tips, while I suggested we refund everything … you mentioned your 7 year old, and I want to mention my 6 year old son. Because of your stance, and the way you constantly dehumanize people like me and subsequently my son we, as Brooklynites and your constituents, will be voting for someone who actually cares for us. We need a representative who will make our neighborhoods safe for your daughter and my son alike.”

On the homepage of the site, “The neighborhood takes care of all the guests” is emboldened in all capital letters at the top. Poetica says that “The guest is sacred,” which “means that whoever walks through the door is treated with unconditional dignity. Not as a customer. Not as a transaction. As someone who arrived and deserves to be welcomed.” Hospitality is a “political act,” the site continues.

When asked in a CNN interview if he thinks the DOJ should pursue an investigation, Goldman said no. “I would rather they spend their time and resources investigating antisemitism against people who do not have a platform that I do, who are not elected officials, who do not, in some ways, ask for this,” he responded. “I mean, I don’t ask for the antisemitism, but I’m a public figure, and I can accept the criticism.”

Mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani (D) commented to the New York Post: “I have many political disagreements with Congressman Goldman when it comes to his votes and his views on Israel. I think what we saw online goes beyond that.”

According to Business Insider, roughly 65 protestors and counter-protestors gathered outside of Poetica Coffee on Wednesday. The protest was organized by the Jewish Advocacy Group #EndJewHatred.

Following this controversy, Goldman lost Tuesday’s primary to former New York City comptroller Brad Lander, who was backed by Mamdani.