Alexandria business owner refuses service to Jewish client

Fatana Karimi, owner of Karimi Brows in Alexandria, Virginia, has faced condemnation after reportedly refusing service to a Jewish client based on her Israeli-American ethnicity. The incident, which occurred in mid-August 2026, was captured on video and shared online.

According to the client, the interaction began cordially until the topic of the client's background was raised. The client alleges that Karimi ordered her to leave the premises, stating that providing service to an Israeli violated her political beliefs. The client also reported that her deposit was not returned.

Karimi has since defended her actions on social media, framing the refusal as a matter of principle regarding her political views on Israel. The incident has drawn criticism from advocacy groups, with observers noting that Virginia law prohibits discrimination in places of public accommodation based on religion or national origin.