New Salt Lake City bar owner who once ran for mayor is labeled 'anti-Semitic' after post 'banning all Zionists forever' from his new establishment Weathered Waves

A Salt Lake City bar owned by a former mayoral candidate is being called anti-Semitic after announcing on social media it has a 'no Zionists' allowed policy.

Weathered Waves, a cider bar, posted on Instagram Monday that it is 'banning all Zionists forever from our establishments.'

The bar is part of the Six Sailor Cider group, which is owned by former Salt Lake City mayoral candidate Michael Valentine - who received 7 percent of the city's vote in 2023. 

Utah's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, which gave Weathered Waves its license on February 29, have referred the bar to the state Attorney General's Office to investigate if the policy violates discrimination laws, reported FOX 13.

'We are horrified by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and are even more horrified to see so many Americans ignore and rationalize ethnic cleansing. That is why we are pleased to announce we are banning all Zionists,' the bar said in its post.

Weathered Waves, a cider bar, posted on Instagram that it is 'banning all Zionists forever from our establishments'

'Zionism is hate speech. It is white supremacy and has nothing to do with the beautiful Jewish faith. We forever stand firmly with the people of Gaza and humanity.'

'We dream of a free and prosperous Palestine. Ceasefire Now,' the bar said. 

Shortly after, the United Jewish Federation of Utah condemned Weathered Waves for its 'biased policy,' reported ABC4.

'In the guise of Anti-Zionist rhetoric this business owner is demonizing those who believe in the right of existence of a Jewish state as well as applying a double standard to Israel and our community,' the Federation said.

'Anti-Zionist rhetoric can and is often used in the context of anti-Semitic acts.'

'No group should be banned from a local business based on their perceived or real identity or beliefs,' said the Federation.

Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services spokeswoman Michelle Schmitt told The Salt Lake Tribune the agency received 'several comments from members of the public' about the post.

Schmitt said the department referred the post to the state Attorney General's office 'so they may conduct an investigation on whether the business is violating discrimination laws.'

The bar is part of the Six Sailor Cider group, which is owned by former Salt Lake City mayoral candidate Michael Valentine - who received 7 percent of the city's vote in 2023

Valentine said his establishment has received thousands of messages, including a threat to burn the bar down which he reported to the police, since the putting out the post

The department is also reviewing its own 'legal options for responding to discrimination at DABS licensed establishments.'

Valentine said his establishment has received thousands of messages, including a threat to burn the bar down which he reported to the police, since the putting out the post.

'None of us are calling for violence. We’re demanding a ceasefire, a unilateral ceasefire on both sides,' Valentine told 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 pictures of reviews people have left criticizing them for the 'no Zionists' policy.