Congressman responds after New York City coffee shop bans him over Israel support: 'Sad state of affairs'

Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., is offering his side of the story after a New York City coffee shop blasted him for visiting the store and banned him from returning over his support of Israel. 

Appearing on CNN’s "Laura Coates Live" Monday night, Goldman expressed his dismay surrounding a situation involving Brooklyn’s Poetica Coffee last week, after the shop shared a surveillance image of Goldman with an accompanying caption revealing he was not welcome back.

"I had such a nice interaction with the barista in the coffee shop," Goldman told CNN’s Laura Coates. "She was wearing a hijab. I didn’t know her, but she couldn’t have been nicer and allowed my daughter to go use the bathroom, and I honestly was so grateful for her kindness that I felt like I should buy a coffee — and so I did, and I gave her a large tip."

Goldman said that the post he saw online was a stark contrast to the actual interaction he had while visiting the shop.

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"It was diametrically opposite to that post that I came upon later, and it’s a reflection, I think, of a sad state of affairs that, without knowing me, we could’ve had such a nice interaction," Goldman said. "Two people, obviously from different backgrounds, different faiths, but that’s what America is and that’s what New York City is. That is what I believe in."

"And the idea of accusing someone who you don't know of supporting a genocide, I mean, it's crazy. It's crazy," he continued. "Now, I may disagree as to whether or not there's a genocide. But, come on, we're better than this. And we need to be better than this."

Goldman, who is Jewish, describes himself as a liberal Zionist and has been critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He objects to the notion that Israel is committing a "genocide" in Gaza, and his defense of Israel has infuriated far-left progressives and could cost him his seat in Congress, a heavily Democratic seat representing south Manhattan and west Brooklyn.

Goldman condemned the equating of Jewish Americans with the Israeli government throughout the country.

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"I think it's really dangerous when people start conflating the actions of the Israeli government with American Jews, who have absolutely nothing to do with what is going on in Israel and the rise in antisemitism because of what is happening in the Middle East, here in the United States, is really dangerous, and it is escalating significantly," Goldman said. 

In the now-deleted Instagram post, Poetica Coffee said Goldman would have been turned away if staff had recognized him at the time and added that his order was refunded.

"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?" the post stated, referring to Goldman’s support for Israel and previous accusations that the Jewish state has committed genocide against Palestinians during the ongoing war in Gaza.

"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."

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Goldman initially responded to the Instagram post, commenting, "I’m sorry to see this post. The barista could not have been nicer to my 7-year-old daughter and me — allowing her to use the bathroom even though we had not purchased anything. I made sure to buy a coffee in return for her kindness. I hope you at least make sure she gets the tip that she deserved."

The shop later responded to Goldman’s comment, adding it was the barista’s idea to refund his purchase and vowing to vote against the congressman, who is currently facing a Democratic primary challenge from former city Comptroller Brad Lander, a fierce critic of Israel.

The coffee shop incident underscores the fierce debate on the left over the Jewish state. Democratic support has collapsed for the country in recent years.

This week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced authorities have opened an investigation into Poetica Coffee over alleged "denial of service taunts" aimed at Goldman. 

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon added that federal law prohibits public accommodations — including coffee shops — from discriminating against patrons based on race, religion, or national origin, and that the alleged denial of service could violate anti-discrimination law.

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Goldman said Tuesday he did not think the coffee shop's treatment of him merited an investigation.

Fox News Digital reached out to Goldman, the DOJ and Poetica Coffee for comment. 

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"No comment. We stand against genocide," a Poetica Coffee staffer told the New York Post.

Owner Parviz Mukhamadkulov, an Uzbek immigrant who opened the first location in 2020, previously posted to Poetica Coffee’s website boasting that "whoever walks through the door is treated with unconditional dignity."

"In practice, it looks like a café where the door doesn't close on anyone, where tea gets poured before anyone asks who you are," the website states. "The guest is sacred because the act of welcoming is how a community keeps itself intact."

"Not as a customer. Not as a transaction," the website adds. "As someone who arrived and deserves to be welcomed." 

Fox News' Louis Casiano and Alexis McAdams contributed to this report.