Protests clash outside Jewish-owned restaurants in Philadelphia

Customers faced long waits outside six Philadelphia restaurants on Sunday while police managed a tense standoff in Rittenhouse Square. The gathering centered on a bike ride organized to promote a boycott of these specific businesses. Rival groups waved Palestinian and Israeli flags and exchanged heated words throughout the afternoon. Philadelphia police officers formed a line to keep the two sides apart. At least one physical altercation broke out before the ride started. Officers pulled one protester away from another during the scuffle. It was not immediately clear if anyone was arrested for that specific incident. One other person was arrested in the crowd, though the reason was not known at first.

Philly Bike On Your Left organized the event. The group describes itself as an anti-fascist and anti-Zionist social cycling collective. On Oct. 31, the group announced plans to target what it called Zionist establishments in solidarity with the Palestinian community. The named businesses include Mac Mart, K'Far Café, Huda, Goldie, Schlesinger's, and Dizengoff. Five of these locations are owned by the restaurant group CookNSolo. The Israeli co-owners of CookNSolo have publicly supported and fundraised for Israel's military efforts. A local campaign called Boycott CookNSolo accused the restaurateurs of materially and ideologically supporting the occupation and genocide of Palestinians. The campaign posted on Instagram this weekend that it stood with the ride organizers. It stated that the cyclists had been doxxed and villainized by social media Zionists and self-serving politicians.

Local leaders reacted quickly to the planned event. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker denounced the boycott on social media. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday also criticized the move online. Governor Josh Shapiro posted a rebuke on X on Friday. He wrote that hate and antisemitism have no place in the Commonwealth. Shapiro said he was grateful to state and local law enforcement for working to keep neighborhoods safe during the weekend.

The Anti-Defamation League urged people to dine at the targeted restaurants and other Jewish-owned businesses. The group called the protest an attempt to intimidate a Jewish community that has faced generations of violence, exclusion, and antisemitism. The ADL described the event as the latest in a series of incidents holding Jewish businesses responsible for events in the Middle East. It labeled the action antisemitic and stated that it refused to let hate win. The nonprofit JewBelong installed billboards at 14 locations across the city. The signs encouraged residents to boycott the boycott ride. One sign read, Running over Jewish businesses is not a peace plan.

The demonstration took place on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht. That event, known as the Night of Broken Glass, involved Nazi-organized antisemitic attacks on Jewish communities in Germany, Austria, and Sudetenland on Nov. 9 and 10, 1938. In a statement posted to Instagram, Philly Bike On Your Left said the ride had been grossly misrepresented. The group stated it stands firmly against racism and oppression of all forms, including fascism, antisemitism, islamophobia, and colonialism. The organizers said the ride was planned around people's schedules. They called implications about the timing simply false. The group noted that some local business owners have raised funds for the Israeli military or hosted Israeli soldiers. It wrote that how people spend their money is a reflection of their values.