Brooklyn Café Denies Service to Israeli Man, Sparks Outcry Over Rising Antisemitism

By: Fern Sidman

A viral video capturing a disturbing encounter at a Brooklyn coffee shop has ignited a firestorm of outrage across social media and within Jewish communities nationwide. The footage, reported by VIN News, shows a Jewish Israeli man being denied service at Variety Coffee Roasters in the Park Slope neighborhood after a barista allegedly labeled him a “genocide supporter.”

🚨 CALL TO ACTION: HOLD THIS BUSINESS ACCOUNTABLE

A Jewish man was denied service and publicly accused of “genocide” at a Brooklyn coffee shop — not for his actions, but for being Israeli.

The incident took place at:

📍 Variety Coffee Roasters
312 7th Avenue
Park Slope,… pic.twitter.com/ltEuVbH8DO

— Shirion Collective (@ShirionOrg) June 8, 2025

The incident, which occurred earlier this week, has prompted a wave of condemnation, with many asserting it is a blatant act of antisemitic discrimination thinly disguised as political protest. According to the information provided in the VIN News report, the man — who has not been publicly identified — was not accused of any specific behavior or statements. His sole “offense,” it appears, was being Israeli.

The video, now viewed more than 24,000 times on various platforms, shows the visibly shaken customer questioning the barista’s refusal to serve him. The barista, according to witnesses cited by VIN News, claimed that they would not serve someone “who supports genocide.” No clarification or evidence was offered for this accusation.

“The man didn’t say anything political. He just ordered coffee. Then suddenly the employee said they don’t serve genocide supporters. It was outrageous,” one customer who witnessed the exchange told VIN News.

The incident has been widely condemned by Jewish organizations and civil rights advocates, many of whom argue that denying service based solely on nationality or perceived ethnicity constitutes illegal discrimination — not protected political expression.

“This is not a boycott. This is not protest. This is antisemitism, pure and simple,” said one prominent community leader quoted by VIN News. “We are witnessing a dangerous normalization of antisemitic behavior disguised as political activism.”

The case has reignited debate over the thin line between legitimate criticism of Israeli government policies and overt bigotry toward Jews — particularly in progressive enclaves like Park Slope, where anti-Israel sentiment has veered into open hostility toward Jewish individuals.

As of this report, Variety Coffee Roasters has not issued any public statement. Their social media channels have remained inactive since the video surfaced, despite mounting pressure from local leaders and human rights groups for a full explanation.

“It’s unacceptable for any business to refuse service to someone because of their national origin or perceived political beliefs,” stated a legal expert interviewed by VIN News. “If verified, this could be a violation of New York City’s Human Rights Law.”

No formal complaints or lawsuits have yet been filed, but several advocacy groups are reportedly considering legal action. Some activists are also calling for a city investigation and potential penalties against the café.

This incident is not isolated, according to recent reporting by VIN News, which has chronicled a surge in similar episodes targeting Jewish and Israeli individuals across the country in recent months. From college campuses to cultural venues, a wave of hostility under the banner of “Free Palestine” has crossed over into outright antisemitism.

“Across the U.S., there’s a troubling trend: Jews are being singled out, harassed, and in this case, denied service — simply because of their identity,” said a representative from the Anti-Defamation League in comments to VIN News.

Social media responses have ranged from anger to alarm. “Is this what progressivism has become? Targeting Jews at coffee shops?” one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Imagine if any other ethnic or national group was treated this way. There would be protests in the streets.”

Park Slope, traditionally known as a bastion of liberal values and social justice activism, now finds itself at the center of an uncomfortable controversy. Local rabbis and Jewish residents are reportedly organizing a peaceful vigil outside the café this weekend to protest what they call “a clear act of antisemitism under the guise of resistance.”

“This is deeply personal,” one local Jewish parent told VIN News. “Our kids walk these streets. We support local businesses. But we won’t support hate. Not here. Not anywhere.”

As community pressure intensifies, the absence of a formal apology or acknowledgment from Variety Coffee Roasters risks becoming a defining silence — one that many see as emblematic of a broader cultural failure to confront antisemitism when it emerges from the ideological left.

“This isn’t about foreign policy,” a community leader said bluntly to VIN News. “It’s about whether Jews have the right to exist and be treated with dignity in public spaces.”

In the coming days, local officials may face increased calls to act. Legal action could be imminent. And Jewish advocacy groups are already drafting open letters demanding a boycott of the business until the barista is disciplined and a formal apology is issued.

But for now, as the video continues to circulate, the broader takeaway is clear: in today’s polarized climate, antisemitism can surface even in the most unexpected — and supposedly inclusive — of places.