On July 21, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) updated its recent accomplishments, which included a section on enforcing citizens’ rights in a place of public accommodation. The DOJ noted two such litigations under Title II on its website. The more recent matter was a case that took place in California.

The United States filed a federal complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Case No. 3:25-cv-04849-SK) United States v. Fathi Abdulrahim Harara, et al. (Jerusalem Coffee House).

The case alleges that the defendants – Fathi Abdulrahim Harara (also known as Abdulrahim “Raheem” Harara) and Native Grounds LLC, doing business as Jerusalem Coffee House – engaged in discriminatory practices against Jewish customers at their Oakland, California, coffee shop.

The suit claims violations of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin in places of public accommodation. The DOJ is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, including a court order to stop the alleged discrimination and remedy its effects, but not monetary damages.

The Jerusalem Coffee House, located on Telegraph Avenue in North Oakland’s Temescal neighborhood, opened in September 2023 as a Palestinian-inspired café serving items like coffees, teas, smoothies, and baked goods influenced by Palestinian cuisine (e.g., a “Bebsi” coffee drink and date-tahini latte).

Harara, whose parents were born in Gaza, described it upon opening as a “vibrant cultural hub for Palestinian and Islamic thought” and a space “directly linked in heart and faith to liberation struggles around the world,” welcoming to Palestinians, Oakland residents, and beyond. The café has hosted art exhibits, public discussions, and fundraisers related to Palestinian causes, partnering with groups like Jewish Voice for Peace Bay Area and Eyewitness Palestine.

The complaint details a “policy or practice” of denying Jewish individuals full access to the café’s services based on their perceived race and religion. Key incidents cited include a June 2024 Incident Involving Michael Radice, a Jewish resident from Los Angeles scouting a nearby community space for a nonprofit event. He allegedly entered the café wearing a blue baseball cap with the phrase “Am Yisrael Chai” (Hebrew for “the people of Israel live”) and a Star of David emblem.

An employee allegedly confronted him, asking if he was a “Zionist” or “Jew” and accusing him of supporting “genocide” and “killing children” in Gaza. Harara joined, and they followed Radice outside, yelling insults like “Zionist” and “Jew.” Radice was not served and left. The DOJ alleges this was the second interaction; in an earlier visit that month without the hat, Radice encountered the same employee but no issues.

On October 26, 2024 there was an incident Involving Jonathan Hirsch. Hirsch, an Oakland resident, allegedly entered with his five-year-old son wearing a hat featuring a Star of David. Harara allegedly interrogated him about being a “Zionist,” called the hat a “Jewish star” and “violent,” accused him of supporting “genocide,” and ordered them to leave, claiming they were “trespassing” and “causing a disruption.”

Video footage of the confrontation, which went viral, shows Harara telling Hirsch, “Get out of my business… You’re the Zionist. We don’t want you in our coffee shop.” Harara called the police, falsely reporting trespassing; officers arrived but no arrests were made. Hirsch and his son were not served and left. The DOJ notes neither customer expressed political views during the visits.

Additional allegations include – On October 7, 2024 (the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel), the café introduced drinks like “Iced In Tea Fada” (a play on “intifada,” referencing Palestinian uprisings) and “Sweet Sinwar” (referencing Yahya Sinwar, the late Hamas leader who orchestrated the October 7 attacks that killed about 1,200 Israelis).

The DOJ argues these actions demonstrate a pattern of discrimination, denying Jewish patrons “the full and equal enjoyment” of the café. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated, “It is illegal, intolerable, and reprehensible for any American business open to the public to refuse to serve Jewish customers.”

Harara and his attorneys (Glenn Katon and Walter Riley) deny antisemitism, asserting the incidents were provoked by customers staging confrontations to target the pro-Palestinian café amid the Israel-Hamas war. They claim: – No one was actually denied service; interactions were brief and non-violent (e.g., Katon said Harara and Radice “literally shook hands”).

Defense attorneys argue that the Star of David hats represent Zionism (support for Israel), not Judaism, and the café’s actions were political protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza, which Harara calls “genocide.” He has lost relatives in the conflict.

Harara spoke publicly for the first time on July 30, 2025, at a press conference at the café, surrounded by supporters including Jewish groups like the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network and Jewish Voice for Peace. He described the café as a “treasured Oakland space” for community building, including Jewish patrons, and emphasized solidarity: “Despite the violence my people have endured… my heart remains faithfully tethered to a justice greater than anything the human mind can comprehend.” Supporters packed events in his defense, viewing the case as an attack on Palestinian liberation efforts.

On September 10, 2025, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss. Treating the DOJ’s allegations as true, the court ruled that the complaint sufficiently states a claim under Title II for a “pattern or practice” of discrimination. The case is proceeding to discovery and further proceedings.