A group of Jewish members at Brooklyn’s Park Slope Food Coop has filed a state human rights complaint, citing antisemitic and anti-Israel harassment amidst the ongoing debate over the Gaza war. Coop4Unity, an anti-BDS coalition, alleges multiple incidents of hate speech and harassment at the member-owned store. The complaint, filed on the anniversary of Hamas’ attack, highlights a pattern of unaddressed incidents leading to a toxic workplace environment.
Ramon Maislen, the complainant, expressed disappointment in the Coop leadership’s failure to protect Jewish and Israeli members from ongoing harassment. The complaint seeks to address the hostile environment that has left Jewish members feeling marginalized and unwelcome.
The incident includes an allegation where a Jewish woman was verbally assaulted and subjected to antisemitic slurs, with no disciplinary action taken against the offender. The complaint aims to prompt meaningful action to ensure a safe and inclusive environment at the Coop.
The Department of Human Rights is expected to investigate the complaint within 180 days. Coop4Unity hopes for consequences for the pro-BDS faction members responsible for the harassment, emphasizing the need to address the issue for a grocery store that has become a battleground for political ideologies.