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(TJV) An Oakland resident is suing a Palestinian-owned café, claiming he was ejected because he wore a baseball cap featuring a Star of David. The incident, which took place in October, gained widespread attention online, San Fransisco Standard reported.
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Jonathan Hirsch filed the lawsuit in Alameda County, accusing Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland of religious discrimination and violating his civil rights.
“The anti-Semitism that Mr. Hirsch and his son endured is deeply disturbing, as is the Defendants’ disregard for fundamental morality and the law,” a Brandeis Center attorney representing Hirsch stated. “We intend to hold them accountable in court and challenge their misconceptions.”
According to the lawsuit, Hirsch visited the café on October 26, ordered a latte, and sat down to play chess with his 5-year-old son. Soon after, the café’s operator, Abdulrahim Harara, allegedly questioned him about being a “Zionist” and asked him to leave.
Hirsch, who was wearing a blue baseball cap with a white Star of David, captured part of the exchange on video. In the footage, Harara can be heard saying, “This is a violent hat. Are you a Zionist? Leave.” The lawsuit further claims Harara shouted, “Fuck Israel, fuck Zionists” and insulted Hirsch’s son.
Hirsch states he had never visited the café before and was not looking for a confrontation. He is seeking unspecified compensatory damages.
Harara has declined to comment on the lawsuit.
In addition to Harara, the lawsuit names Telegraph LLC, the building’s owner, and East Bay Community Space, the organization that leases the property to the café. Hirsch alleges an employee of East Bay Community Space also told him to leave and that both entities should have been aware of Harara’s alleged biases.
Jerusalem Coffee House has previously faced controversy over a menu released on October 7, which critics claimed referenced Hamas. One drink, “Sweet Sinwar,” drew particular scrutiny, though Harara denied any connection to the terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar.
Following the viral confrontation, another Jewish man, Michael Radice, accused Harara of harassing him outside the café. The Anti-Defamation League recently filed a separate civil rights lawsuit on Radice’s behalf.
