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California Cafe Kicks Out Man Wearing ‘Violent’ Star of David Baseball Hat, Owner Asks if He’s a ‘Zionist’ (www.algemeiner.com)

submitted 1 month ago by gedaliyah to c/[email protected]

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A cafe owner in Oakland, California kicked out a man for wearing a Star of David emblazoned on his baseball hat this past weekend, arguing that the religious symbol possesses a “violent” connotation and identifies him as a “Zionist.”

In a video posted on social media, Jonathan Hirsch, who is Jewish, was angrily confronted and asked to leave the Jerusalem Coffee House on the afternoon of Oct. 26 because of his hat. Hirsch and the cafe owner, Abdulrahim Harara, engaged in a heated exchange of words, in which the Jewish man accused the venue of practicing unlawful discrimination.

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

One drink is called “Iced In Tea Fada,”

That doesn't sound very subtle. I wonder if this guy really did come to the cafe by coincidence or if it was an act of protest. Either way, the proprietor doesn't seem to have a good legal defense...

Edit: The place has an Arabic logo but otherwise it looks like a completely normal Bay Area hipster cafe. (Although I suppose that Bay Area hipster cafes aren't particularly welcoming to people prominently displaying a Star of David.) "Iced In Tea Fada" really is on the menu.

[–] CobblerScholar 11 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yeah it's doesn't seem like that was an idle decision to me either

https://oaklandvoices.us/2024/10/28/jerusalem-coffee-house-oakland-palestine/

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Yeah, it seems like both sides are trying to pick a fight now. I wouldn't go to that coffee shop but I'm not sure how

3,000 nearly identical emails titled, “Coffee and terrorism in Oakland.” ... addressed to County and City electeds

are supposed to help.

Heh, in that article the proprietor claims that

Ice In Tea Fada has been a featured drink on their menu from day one, and was not a response to any one event.

However, Google has photos of an older version of the menu without that drink.

[–] Thcdenton 13 points 1 month ago

How the fuck is this world news

[–] njm1314 10 points 1 month ago

Are you a Zionist?” the owner asked.

“I don’t have to identify myself,” Hirsch answered.

Well it seems like a yes to me. I wouldn't serve a fascist either. Cafe owner is totally in the right here.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

Yeah this guy was 100% trying to start conflict. Good call by the owner.

[–] Crashumbc 6 points 1 month ago

Yeah, I grew up in one of the largest Jewish communities in the US. I have NEVER seen someone prominently displaying the star on a cap or t-shirt like that...

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 month ago

Sigh. For obvious reasons no Arab has good experiences with the Star of David, but still. Sigh.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Why they kick him out over Hindu symbol, what did we ever do to anyone?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Uh... Kicking people over the Buddhist Swastika (which, by the way, is oriented different to the Nazi Swastika) is, indeed, ignorant. Kicking people over a wholly non-political symbol like the Star of David just gives the Palestinian cause a bad look.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

The orientation isn't necessarily different, from what I've read. Just the meaning.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago

the star used to be required

now it is forbidden