YOUR FAVORITE LOGO TV SHOWS ARE ON PARAMOUNT+

Gay Student Sues Homophobic Israeli Pizzeria That Wouldn’t Serve Him

Sammy Kanter will donate any awarded damages to pro-LGBTQ groups in Jerusalem.

An American rabbinical student is suing a Jerusalem pizzeria that allegedly refused to serve him because of his sexual orientation.

Sammy Kanter, who is currently studying for a year at the Jewish Reform movement’s Hebrew Union College in Israel, filed a lawsuit last month against Ben Yehuda 2 pizzeria, Times of Israel reports.

Kanter was wearing a Gay Pride tank top in August, the day after the Jerusalem Pride March, when he and a group of friends entered the eatery. The white shirt had rainbow letters spelling out “Cincy,” referring to his hometown of Cincinnati.

“Today, for the first time in my life, I was denied service at a pizza store for being who I am (in Jerusalem)," Kanter wrote in a Facebook post. "I walked in with the shirt below, and the guy behind the counter said ‘Atah Homo (are you gay)?’ I said yes. He said ‘out’ and pointed at the door. My jaw dropped, and he instructed my classmates and I to leave.”

"I grew up being told Israel was the place where Jews could feel always feel at home, a country that lived our Jewish values, and a place that was a worldwide leader in LGBTQ rights. My hope tonight, as I light Shabbat candles, is in the 52 other Jewish leaders I currently study with, hoping to make the world a better place."

Refusing service to customers due to their sexual orientation is illegal in Israel. After being advised of the law, Ben Yehuda 2's owner has reportedly refused to negotiate a settlement outside of court.

The owner initially told Israeli media he would fire the offending employee if the incident occurred as Kanter alleged. He later claimed it was likely a misunderstanding because the employee was trying to close the shop before the start of Shabbat.

Kanter is seeking 33,500 shekels (about $9,100) in damages with the assistance of the Israel Religious Action Center, the social justice arm of the pro-LGBTQ Reform movement.

“This is an important precedent for Jerusalem,” says IRAC director Rabbi Noa Sattath, who adds that the pizzeria owner must be held accountable for the homophobic behavior of his employee.

“Sammy is not interested in the money for himself. He is interested in the precedent,” Sattath continues, noting that Kanter would donate any awarded damages to pro-LGBTQ organizations in Jerusalem.

Kanter will represent himself in the case, which is scheduled to be heard January 31, 2019, in Jerusalem Small Claims Court.

Latest News