Officials Condemn Planned Philadelphia Protest Against Jewish Businesses

Officials Condemn Planned Philadelphia Protest Against Jewish Businesses

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“This is antisemitism disguised as activism,” Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, said in a social media post describing a planned protest in Philadelphia.

The protest is scheduled for Sunday in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Organizers, led by a group calling itself Philly Bike On Your Left, intend to ride past specific restaurants they claim are owned by Zionists. The timing of the event is particularly sensitive, occurring just one day before the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Nazi-organized riots of 1938 that saw the systematic destruction of Jewish property and lives across Germany.

Officials condemn the target of the ride

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday characterized the boycott as “deeply unsettling.” He argued that the movement does not simply protest the policies of a foreign nation, but instead singles out local residents based on their religious and ethnic identity. According to Sunday, the organizers are targeting fellow Pennsylvanians for political actions they have no personal ability to influence.

Governor Josh Shapiro’s office issued a statement asserting that the ride is “nothing more than blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities.” The Governor’s office noted that the Pennsylvania State Police are working with local partners to monitor the situation and protect neighbors in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker also weighed in on the planned activity. While she acknowledged the constitutional right to peaceful protest, she stated that “singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city.” Parker confirmed that the Philadelphia Police Department will be present to maintain order and ensure that anyone engaging in unlawful conduct or intimidation is held accountable.

The organizers’ defense of the boycott

Philly Bike On Your Left, which describes itself as a “non-violent social cycling page,” has pushed back against the criticism. In a statement released to CNN and posted to Instagram, the group claimed it is being “grossly misrepresented” and maintains that it stands against fascism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia.

The group’s stated motivation for the boycott is the owners’ perceived support for Israel. One post from the organizer read: “Ride around Rittenhouse with us as we show these Zionist business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are.”

Regarding the proximity to the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the group dismissed suggestions that the timing was intentional. They stated that their rides are scheduled around people’s existing schedules and insisted that “any suggestions about the timing of our ride are simply false.”

Rittenhouse square philadelphia

Other activist groups have shared posts arguing that critics are “disingenuously conflating Zionism with Judaism” and calling the invocation of the 1938 pogrom a “cynical take.”

A pattern of local tension

This is not the first time businesses in the Rittenhouse Square area have faced such demonstrations. In 2023, protesters gathered outside Goldie, a falafel shop co-owned by Israeli-born chef Michael Solomonov. At that time, demonstrators demanded an end to the siege on Gaza and criticized U.S. involvement with Israel. That previous protest also drew condemnation from the Biden administration and local officials.

Philadelphia Leaders Condemn Planned Bike Protest Targeting Jewish Owned Businesses

The current organizers have identified six specific restaurants for their boycott. While CookNSolo, which operates several area restaurants including Goldie, declined to comment on this weekend’s plans, the local Jewish community is taking steps to avoid potential friction.

Rabbi Jill Maderer of Congregation Rodeph Shalom encouraged her members to avoid the Rittenhouse crowds on Sunday. Instead, she suggested the congregation gather for a Kristallnacht commemoration at the Horwitz-Wasserman Holocaust Memorial Plaza on Monday.

“I want to offer us a way to respond that does not give the antisemites the attention they crave, that reduces risk of violent confrontation, that supports peace for the Jewish businesses, and that allows us to stand tall as Jews against the haters,” Rabbi Maderer wrote on social media.

More on Rittenhouse Square

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