Oakland’s Jerusalem Coffee House, celebrating Palestinian culture, marked its first anniversary amid both community support and backlash over menu items that some view as politically provocative.
With culturally inspired menu items, the shop seeks to amplify liberation movements across the globe.
Abdulrahim Harara, the owner of Jerusalem Coffee House, is a Palestinian and Bay Area native who was born and raised across the Bay Bridge in San Francisco.
“We opened a coffee shop to create a space for our community,” Harara said. Jerusalem Coffee is located in north Oakland on Telegraph Ave. Jerusalem Coffee House’s soft opening took place September 17, 2023.
The shop provides exceptional coffee, teas, smoothies, and various treats that reflect Palestinian culture.
“We named it Jerusalem because it’s the capital of Palestine,” he said. Many countries recognize East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestinian state.
It has been unbearable to witness the blatant disregard for human life and international law in Palestine, by Israel, that began shortly after our opening and has continued for what is now over a year
Abdulrahim Harara, owner, Jerusalem Coffee House
The past year has been not only a challenging time for the new business, but for his people. Following the October 7, 2023 attack, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 43,000 people. The number of reported deaths is likely underestimated, according to Lancet Medical Journal.
“It has been unbearable to witness the blatant disregard for human life and international law in Palestine, by Israel, that began shortly after our opening and has continued for what is now over a year,” Harara said.
Palestinian-inspired menu items under fire
On the one-year anniversary, Jerusalem Coffee added several additions to their menu earlier this month. New additions included Jerusalem Lemonade, Pineapple Ginger, and Berry Green smoothie reflect some of those additions.
Other items on the shop’s menu have recently come under fire.
Intifada is a term that has been coined and embodies the uprisings of not only Palestinians, but uprisings against colonial occupations around the globe.
“Ice In Tea Fada,” described as Sweet Smokey Cedar Pu’er processed as a black tea, is an ode expressing his unapologetic love for his people. Intifada is Arabic for “uprising” and represents the Palestinian uprising against the unlawful occupation of Palestine and the oppression by Israel, Harara said. “Intifada is a term that has been coined and embodies the uprisings of not only Palestinians, but uprisings against colonial occupations around the globe,” Harara said. Ice In Tea Fada has been a featured drink on their menu from day one, and was not a response to any one event.
The naming of one drink, “Sweet Sinwar,” sparked a campaign attacking the coffee shop and threats to its owner. Many have insisted the drink was named to glorify Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas who was killed–some would say martyred–on October 16. Sinwar’s death came just nine days after the menu’s release and the anniversary of the October 7 attack.
Harara insisted that naming the drink “Sweet Sinwar,” was not a political decision. The combination of orange and carrot juice is a well known traditional Palestinian drink. The coffee house added ginger to this traditional drink, giving it a spicy kick. He told Oakland Voices he refuses to entertain the demonization and proposed harm of his decision for drink names when there is a genocide of his people taking place, a harm being witnessed by the world.
Since October 13, Oakland Voices has received over 3,000 nearly identical emails titled, “Coffee and terrorism in Oakland.” The emails are addressed to County and City electeds, and a few Oakland publications. It is unclear if any of the senders are Oakland residents.
Harara said Jerusalem Coffee released the menu on October 7 to commemorate and honor the tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian lives lost, including countless children since October 7, 2023. He added the menu honors the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian lives lost since the beginning of the unlawful occupation of Palestine.
“Palestine is the epitome of what colonialism looks like but I truly believe in my dream of love prevailing over evil,” Harara said.
Despite threats, Jerusalem will remain a community space
Despite the many threats of physical harm and expressions of hate Harara has received through his business Instagram account and United States Postal Service, he plans to continue providing space for Palestinians and their comrades/allies.
Jerusalem Coffee House intends to remain a place for gathering, engaging, organizing and will support those working towards the liberation of all people across the globe while serving drinks like “Cardamom Spice” that Harara said, “feels like a hug the moment you drink it.”
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