Threats Against Pro-Palestine Cafe In Englishtown Under Investigation

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ — Englishtown Police are investigating threats to a local cafe that’s recently gained attention for a sign the owners put up supporting Palestine and Lebanon.

The Baklava Lady, a Turkish vegan bakery and cafe, placed a sign outside the restaurant in October that reads; “We only serve those who believe in peace for all. Free Palestine. Hands off Lebanon. Real food, real values.”

The sign gained the attention of both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine demonstrators, who gathered outside the cafe on Oct. 20 in response, according to a report from the Asbury Park Press.

Since the sign was placed outside the cafe, the “we only serve” portion of the sign has since been changed to “Thanks for making us the most famous cafe in New Jersey," the report said.

Naciye Emren, the owner of the Baklava Lady, told the Asbury Park Press that putting up the sign was “the right thing to do.”

“We should all be screaming at the top of our lungs,” Emren said. “No more war. No more money for war. I’m so against it. I’m vegan. I’m against all oppression. I won’t be silenced and I’m not afraid and I won’t be bullied.”

On Oct. 28, the NJ chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) released a statement calling for local law enforcement and elected officials to respond to threats made against the cafe.

According to the council, hostility directed at the Baklava Lady has “escalated dramatically” throughout the past year. In one instance, the cafe received a phone call where someone “explicitly threatened violence against the owner and her family,” the council said.

Englishtown police are currently investigating the threats, Lt. Trevor Martinson said. He declined to provide more information.

Emren and her family told the council that they have “grave concerns” about their safety and the safety of their loved ones.

“We are worried that someone might throw a brick through the window or worse,” Emren said. “They’ve even doxxed us, putting our personal information online."

"We need security, that is the first and most important thing," Emren continued. "We’re grateful for the overwhelming support, but we also need help with volunteers, legal assistance, and financial backing to keep our cafe safe and running.”

Selaedin Maksut, the executive director of CAIR-NJ, condemned threats against the cafe in the council's statement.

“No one should live in fear for standing up for justice and peace,” Maksut said. “The threats against Baklava Lady and their family are part of a larger pattern of intimidation aimed at silencing voices who speak out against the genocide in Palestine.”

According to the council, CAIR-NJ documented over 4,000 incoming bias complaints throughout the country from January to June 2024 — a 69% increase over the same period in 2023.

In their statement, the council urged Englishtown officials to publicly denounce protests against the cafe and denounce the threat made over the phone.

“The community must unite against such vile speech and behavior, and local authorities must ensure the safety of this family and their business,” Maksut said. “Harassment and violence have no place in our communities. Together, we can ensure that their small business thrives and that the voices of peace are not silenced by hate."