US News
Oakland cafe temporarily closes ahead of federal civil rights trial over discrimination claims
Jerusalem Coffee House faces three lawsuits, including a Justice Department action alleging staff refused service to Jewish patrons.
The short version
- Jerusalem Coffee House in Oakland, California, temporarily closed to focus on preparing for three discrimination lawsuits.
- The lawsuits, which include a federal case brought under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, allege staff refused service to Jewish patrons wearing Star of David hats and shouted insults.
- The cafe's operators denied wrongdoing, asserting the legal actions are attempts to suppress free speech and pro-Palestinian advocacy.
- A federal civil rights trial in the Justice Department's case is scheduled to begin on October 26.
Key facts
- Jerusalem Coffee House ceased daily operations after August 23 to prepare for ongoing litigation, including a federal civil rights trial scheduled for October 26.[Fox News]
- The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in June 2025 under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, alleging that owner Fathi Abdulrahim Harara and staff denied service to Jewish customers and verbally harassed them outside.[Fox News]
- A federal judge denied a motion by the defendants to dismiss the Justice Department's lawsuit.[Fox News]
- Two additional civil lawsuits were filed by legal advocacy groups representing patrons who allege they were ejected or subjected to antisemitic slurs.[Fox News]
- The cafe stated in an August post that the legal actions are efforts by government and advocacy groups to repress free speech and pro-Palestinian political stances.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unconfirmed whether the cafe will reopen following the resolution of the upcoming legal proceedings.[Fox News]