Alan Dershowitz, the renowned legal scholar and longtime defender of civil liberties, recently found himself at the center of a bizarre confrontation at the West Tisbury Farmers Market on Martha’s Vineyard. What started as an attempt to purchase some pierogis escalated into a public dispute that lays bare the growing intolerance among certain progressive circles.
Dershowitz, who has faced backlash for his past representation of high-profile clients Jeffrey Epstein and his vocal support for Israel, was refused service by vendor Krem Miskevich of Good Pierogi. The incident, now dubbed “Pierogi-gate,” has sparked debates about discrimination, free speech, and the left’s selective application of principles like inclusivity.
According to Dershowitz, the refusal stemmed from his political views and legal history. He recounted on his YouTube channel, “He didn’t approve of my politics so he wouldn’t serve me.”
Dershowitz also drew parallels to protected classes under Massachusetts law, arguing, “You couldn’t say ‘I don’t serve black people,’ you couldn’t say, ‘I don’t serve gay people,’ you couldn’t say ‘I don’t serve Jews.'”
He mentioned arriving at the booth wearing a pro-Jewish T-shirt, which he believes may have contributed to the tension.
Miskevich, who uses they/them pronouns, offered their side in a statement: “When he came to our booth, I experienced a surge of emotion. As a chef, I love to share what I cook with the public, regardless of who they are. In this case, what was in the forefront of my mind was the fact that this was the high-profile attorney who represented several sexual predators and abusers including Jeffrey Epstein.”
They emphasized that the decision had nothing to do with Dershowitz’s Zionism or Jewish identity, but rather his association with Epstein—a point that has drawn scrutiny given Dershowitz’s repeated denials of any wrongdoing in that saga and his successful defamation settlements against accusers.
The fallout didn’t end there. Dershowitz returned to the market days later, confronting Miskevich again in hopes of resolving the matter or perhaps purchasing the dumplings. Instead, market managers intervened, asking him to leave amid rising tensions. Police were called during the initial encounter, and Dershowitz has since announced plans to sue the market, citing viewpoint discrimination. Meanwhile, the vendor has seen a surge in support, with long lines forming at their booth as islanders rallied in solidarity— a clear sign of how polarized communities have become.
This episode echoes broader patterns of blacklisting that conservatives have long decried. During the McCarthy era, Hollywood and academia purged those suspected of communist ties, a tactic the left once condemned as a witch hunt. Today, similar calls emerge from progressive quarters: city councils demanding bans on Trump supporters from campuses, public figures like Daily Beast editor Rick Wilson advocating for “humiliation” and “incarceration” of political opponents, and even suggestions of a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” to hold conservatives accountable. Lawyers representing unpopular clients, such as those who defended Harvey Weinstein, have faced professional repercussions, including firings from prestigious institutions.
The hypocrisy stands out when compared to landmark cases like Masterpiece Cakeshop, where liberals insisted a Christian baker must create custom cakes for same-sex weddings despite his religious objections, framing refusal as illegal discrimination. Yet here, a vendor openly denies pre-made food to a customer based on political disagreements, and it’s celebrated as principled resistance. If the roles were reversed—if a conservative baker refused service to a progressive activist—the outcry from the left would be deafening, with accusations of bigotry flying fast.
Social media reactions from conservatives highlight this double standard. One user noted, “So much for Democrats being the party of inclusivity. Bunch of liars!!!! If you don’t think like them than your shown hate.”
Another observed, “The modern Left celebrates intolerance in the name of tolerance and blacklisting in the name of free speech as their preferred tactic.”
Such sentiments underscore a growing frustration with what many see as the left’s weaponization of personal beliefs to justify exclusion.
At its core, this isn’t just about dumplings; it’s about a culture where differing views are treated as threats worthy of shunning.
As Jonathan Turley aptly put it in his analysis, “The only thing that is more enticing today than the love for good food is the hate for opposing views. The problem is that feeding on hate will never satiate people; they simply want more servings. That insatiable appetite is destroying this country and now Miskevich is contributing to it one pierogi at a time.”
In a nation founded on pluralism, incidents like this erode the very fabric of civil discourse, reminding us that true tolerance means serving even those we disagree with.
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