Mayor Condemns Boycott of Jewish Businesses
Mayor Cherelle Parker released a statement Wednesday condemning a planned bicycle “boycott ride” targeting Jewish-owned restaurants in and around Rittenhouse Square, set for Sunday, November 8, the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht.
The ride, scheduled for 11:30 AM at Rittenhouse Square, is being promoted by Philly Bike On Your Left, Boycott CookNSolo, Philly Solidarity Calendar, and Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza. A flier for the event names six businesses, Dizengoff, Huda, Schlesinger’s, Mac Mart, K’Far Cafe, and Goldie, under the heading “No business for Zionists,” and says “These Zionist establishments must go.”
In her statement, posted to her official Instagram account, Parker said freedom of speech and freedom from fear are not competing values, and that no one should be targeted because of faith, identity, or background. Singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable, she said. She directed the Police Commissioner to coordinate with community partners to maintain safety during the demonstration and to protect residents, businesses, and houses of worship, and warned that threats, intimidation, or unlawful conduct will be held accountable. The statement closes with her slogan, “One Philly, A United City.”
The mayor’s statement follows two days of condemnation from Jewish organizations and state officials. On Monday, the Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia, the American Jewish Committee of Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and StandWithUs released a joint statement calling the ride “Jew-Hatred, plain and simple,” and called on Parker, Governor Josh Shapiro, and District Attorney Larry Krasner to condemn it. They also urged the Philadelphia Police Department to ensure the safety of the businesses, their employees, and their customers, and urged Philadelphians to patronize the targeted businesses.
On Tuesday, Parker’s office pointed reporters to remarks by Renee Chenault-Fattah, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, who said the commission “reaffirms its 75-year commitment to fighting racism, antisemitism and, in recent years, Islamophobia. Acts of bigotry, violence and hate cannot be tolerated, and we will never stand by and allow businesses, individuals or jobs to be run out of our city, full stop.”
Shapiro’s office also condemned the ride. “This bike ride, masquerading as a protest to advance the cause of justice, is nothing more than blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities, and there is no place for that in our Commonwealth,” spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky said. The Shapiro administration said Pennsylvania State Police are working with local partners ahead of Sunday.
The timing of the ride has drawn particular attention. November 8 falls on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, when Nazi-organized mobs destroyed thousands of Jewish businesses, homes, and synagogues in Germany and Austria.
Owners of the named businesses have said they have received an outpouring of support since the flier circulated. Mac Mart owner Marti Lieberman said it is “heartbreaking” to have to defend her business, adding, “We are absolutely feeling the love from this community.” Huda owner Yehuda Sichel, who said he is the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, said, “I’m proud to be Jewish and supportive of Israel. Neither should make my business a target.”
The organizers frame the action as a boycott of “Zionist establishments,” and critics of the condemnation argue it targets businesses they say fund the Israeli military, not Jewish identity. Fox News Digital reported it reached out to two of the promoting groups for comment and did not immediately receive a response.
Philadelphia police have contacted the businesses, according to a local report. The ride is scheduled for Sunday at 11:30 AM at Rittenhouse Square.
