A new restaurant in New York City’s diverse culinary landscape, Ayat, a restaurant specializing in Palestinian cuisine, has ignited a passionate debate by incorporating politically charged language into its menu and décor.

The employment of the slogan “from the river to the sea,” interpreted by the Anti-Defamation League as an anti-Semitic euphemism for Israel’s violent eradication, alongside the unequivocal pronouncement “down with the occupation,” has generated significant backlash, particularly within the historically Jewish neighborhood of Ditmas Park, Brooklyn.

Despite the Anti-Defamation League’s interpretation, Ayat’s proprietors, Ayat Masoud and Abdul Elenani, assert that the aforementioned phrase symbolizes aspirations for freedom and equal rights for the Palestinian people.

Within the restaurant, Palestinian motifs are prominently displayed, while murals depict evocative scenes presumably pertaining to the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Located in the affluent Ditmas Park, home to a sizable Jewish population, Ayat’s experience reflects broader societal tensions in the United States regarding the Middle East crisis, where businesses are often penalized for either expressing or refraining from expressing opinions on the matter.

Furthermore, Ayat experienced a surge of negative online reviews following a recent Hamas attack.

Escalating tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict have extended to public events, most notably through disruptions during the New York City Thanksgiving Parade. Activist groups drawing connections between the conflict and broader societal issues, such as climate change, have encountered both enthusiastic support and vehement opposition.