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An Israeli woman and her partner were recently thrown out of a cafe in Berlin, Germany, after she wore a shirt displaying the word “falafel” in Hebrew, English, and Arabic. The shirt was created to promote coexistence and peace after Hamas’s October 7th massacre two years ago.
Employee Refuses to Serve “Zionists”
According to German and Israeli media reports, the woman approached the counter to order when the employee noticed her shirt. “She asked if it was Hebrew,” the woman said. “When I said yes, she refused to serve me and added that she did not serve Zionists.”
The employee then began shouting that the woman supported “genocide in Gaza” and claimed “Hebrew is the language of the oppressor.” The Israeli visitor said the situation quickly escalated. “She demanded that I leave immediately,” the woman recalled. “People like me were not welcome in her cafe. My partner and I left.”
The woman said the employee even asked for her name “so she could officially order me out.” She tried to explain that such behavior was antisemitic, but the confrontation left her shaken.
A Message of Unity Met With Hate
The “Falafel Humanity” shirt was created in November 2023 by a German, Iranian, and Israeli team to encourage dialogue and coexistence. Proceeds from its sale go to Women Wage Peace, an Israeli organization that promotes reconciliation.
After hearing about the incident, the designers issued a statement reaffirming their mission. “Our project began with the aim of maintaining dialogue around peace and living together,” they said. “The ‘Falafel Humanity’ shirt is a creative attempt to bring people together. We believe that hatred and exclusion are never the right path, and that stopping war and violence is an urgent need.”
Despite the confrontation, the creators noted that many people continued to respond positively to the message behind the shirt.
Understanding the Broader Implications
This episode also underscores the importance of understanding the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism and recognizing how prejudice against Jews often hides behind political rhetoric. When a simple symbol of coexistence becomes a target of hostility, it exposes how antisemitism continues to evolve in public life — and why clear awareness and accountability remain essential.
