- Weathered Waves bar posted on Instagram that they are ‘banning all Zionists forever’
- The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services referred the post to the state Attorney General’s office to review whether it violates discrimination laws.
- The United Jewish Federation of Utah condemned the bar for its “biased policy”
A Salt Lake City bar owned by a former mayoral candidate is being called anti-Semitic after announcing on social media that it has a “no Zionists allowed” policy.
Weathered Waves, a cidery, posted on Instagram on Monday that it is “forever banning all Zionists from our establishments.”
The bar is part of the Six Sailor Cider group, owned by former Salt Lake City mayoral candidate Michael Valentine, who received 7 percent of the city’s votes in 2023.
The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, which granted Weathered Waves its license on Feb. 29, referred the bar to the state Attorney General’s Office to investigate whether the policy violates discrimination laws, it reported. FOX 13.
‘We are horrified by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and we are even more horrified to see so many Americans ignore and rationalize ethnic cleansing. “That is why we are pleased to announce that we will ban access to all Zionists,” the college said in its post.
Weathered Waves, a cidery, posted on Instagram that it will “forever ban all Zionists from our establishments.”
‘Zionism is hate speech. It is white supremacy and has nothing to do with the beautiful Jewish faith. “We will always stand firmly with the people of Gaza and humanity.”
‘We dream of a free and prosperous Palestine. Stop fire now,” the bar said.
Shortly after, the United Jewish Federation of Utah condemned Weathered Waves for its “biased politics,” it reported. ABC4.
“Under the guise of anti-Zionist rhetoric, this businessman is demonizing those who believe in the right to the existence of a Jewish state, in addition to applying a double standard to Israel and our community,” the Federation said.
“Anti-Zionist rhetoric can and often is used in the context of anti-Semitic acts.”
“No group should be excluded from a local business based on their perceived or actual identity or beliefs,” the Federation stated.
said Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services spokeswoman Michelle Schmitt. The Salt Lake Tribune The agency received “several comments from the public” about the post.
Schmitt said the department referred the position to the state Attorney General’s office “so they can conduct an investigation into whether the company is violating anti-discrimination laws.”
The bar is part of the Six Sailor Cider group, owned by former Salt Lake City mayoral candidate Michael Valentine, who received 7 percent of the city’s votes in 2023.
Valentine said his establishment has received thousands of messages, including a threat to burn down the bar, which he reported to police, since the message was posted.
The department is also reviewing its own “legal options for responding to discrimination in DABS-licensed establishments.”
Valentine said his establishment has received thousands of messages, including a threat to burn down the bar, which he reported to police, since the post was published.
‘None of us are calling for violence. “We demand a ceasefire, a unilateral ceasefire from both sides,” Valentine said. ABC4.
In a follow-up post, the bar said: “For the record, we are banning Zionists, not Jews.”
The Weathered Waves Instagram account has since posted photos of reviews people have left criticizing them for the “non-Zionist” policy.
