The People’s Press Conference
30 July 2025, Jerusalem Coffee House
On Wednesday, July 30, Jerusalem Coffee House owner, Abdulrahim Harara, held a press conference, publicly speaking out for the first time in response to the DOJ lawsuit that falsely alleged he refused service to customers based on antisemitic discrimination. He was flanked by Monadel Herzallah of US Palestinian Community Network, Dr. Hatem Bazian, civil rights attorneys Walter Riley and Glenn Katon, Rabbi Cat Zavis from Beyt Tikkun and Jewish Voice for Peace Rabbinical Council and the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, as well as AJ Pluss from the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network.
Abdulrahim delivered a powerful response to the politically motivated lawsuit and the ongoing genocide in Palestine, which the lawsuit serves to protect.
Among the speakers, Monadel Herzallah from the USPCN spoke. Monadel was among plaintiffs in a 2024 lawsuit, which blamed the Biden Administration for failing to prevent a genocide.
Two people from anti-zionist Jewish networks spoke on behalf of the cafe. Listen to IJAN’s AJ Pluss.
After these and other speakers share their thoughts, community members spoke in support of the cafe, including a Jewish customer named Peter Truskier, who is a descendant of Holocaust survivors.
In between speakers, over one hundred community members repeatedly erupted into applause, feet-stomping and shouts of “Free Palestine!” Members of Healthcare Workers for Palestine were in attendance and spoke in support of the cafe during the community comments segment. JVP Bay Area and IJAN presented a petition addressed to the DOJ to drop the charges against the cafe and Abdulrahim, which you can sign on to here.
Around twenty members of the press showed up, most of whom respectfully reported on what they heard from Abdulrahim, his lawyers, members of the Muslim and Jewish community, and those who have found and built community at the cafe.
You can find links to the best of the day’s coverage on our press page.
