A Florida man faces a potential life sentence after a federal indictment for allegedly plotting a mass shooting targeting Jewish employees at the AIPAC pro-Israel nonprofit, while the Department of Justice separately opened a civil rights investigation into a Brooklyn coffee shop that publicly refused to serve a congressman because of his support for Israel — two federal actions underscoring a crowded week of antisemitism-related cases across the United States.
Forrest Pemberton Indicted Over AIPAC Attack Plot
Forrest Pemberton was charged with an attempted hate crime after allegedly surveilling AIPAC's offices armed with an AR-15 and a silencer. According to the indictment, Pemberton described the goal as wanting to "break the loop" and stalked the building — which was empty at the time — before federal investigators tracked him using cellphone data. He now faces life in prison.
Poetica Coffee Under Federal Scrutiny
The DOJ launched a civil rights investigation into Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn after the shop posted content online targeting Rep. Dan Goldman, refunded his purchase, and publicly stated it would have denied him service because of his pro-Israel positions, calling him a "genocide enabler." Federal officials warned that denying service based on religion or national origin violates anti-discrimination statutes.
New York Primary: Avila Chevalier Unseats Espaillat
In a notable congressional primary, Darializa Avila Chevalier — backed by the Democratic Socialists of America — ousted five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Avila Chevalier walked out of a live radio interview earlier that day while being questioned about social media posts described as anti-Dominican. She is now the likely Democratic nominee for the seat and is expected to advance to Congress in November.
Smithsonian Retreat Draws Watchdog Challenge
The North American Values Institute urged the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture to pull out of an upcoming academic retreat. The watchdog group cited concerns over workshop co-facilitator Ismael Jimenez, pointing to his curriculum, ties to activist organizations, and public statements characterizing Israel as a "terrorist state." NAVI warned that Smithsonian participation risks lending institutional credibility to antisemitic rhetoric.
Danon Rejects UN Report as 'Political Blood Libel'
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon sharply rejected a UN report accusing Israel of the "deliberate targeting" of Palestinian children, calling it "a political blood libel disguised as a UN document." Danon argued the commission drew conclusions before reviewing evidence and omitted Hamas atrocities along with the documented trauma suffered by Israeli children.