Philadelphia bicycle protest targets Jewish-owned businesses

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 23:50 · Archive

A planned Philadelphia bicycle protest on 8 November will target Jewish-owned businesses near Rittenhouse Square.

A bicycle protest scheduled for 8 November in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighbourhood will target pro-Israel and 'Zionist establishments', according to fliers shared by organizers including Philly Bike On Your Left and Boycott CookNSolo. The organizers wrote on Instagram: 'Ride around Rittenhouse with us as we show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are.' The targeted businesses include Mac Mart, Dizengoff, Schlesinger's, Huda Burger, K'Far Cafe and Goldie.

Mac Mart co-owner Marti Lieberman told the New York Post she was 'stunned' to learn her business was targeted. She said the business has nothing to do with Israel or Judaism, and she suspects the organizers assumed she was pro-Israel because she wears a Star of David necklace. 'These people think I'm Netanyahu. I literally am just a Jewish girl from the suburbs who started a business,' she said.

Jewish organizations including the Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee and Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia condemned the event as 'Jew-Hatred, plain and simple'. They noted that free speech protects political expression and criticism of Israeli government policies, but 'does not provide a license for threats, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination'. The protest's date was particularly controversial because it falls on the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi-led attacks on Jewish homes, synagogues and businesses in Germany and Austria.

How it is being reported

• Philadelphia mayor slams ‘unacceptable’ protest against Jewish-owned shops on Nazi terror anniversary“Everyone has the right to peacefully protest and express their political views. But singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city,” Mayor Cherelle Parker said.New York Post · 6 Nov, 01:20
• Philly’s Nazi-laden boycott proves it was never actually about Palestine — just the JewsRead why a planned Philly boycott of Jewish-owned restaurants is being condemned as antisemitic amid Kristallnacht timing.New York Post · 5 Nov, 23:38
• Chilling Philly protest on Nazi terror anniversary demands Jewish-owned shops leave the cityAnti-Israel activists in Philadelphia are calling for Jewish-owned businesses to get out of town ahead of a Sunday boycott scheduled on the anniversary of the Kristallnacht Nazi night of terror.New York Post · 4 Nov, 21:22
• Philadelphia boycott ride targeting Jewish businesses draws condemnation from city, state leadershipJewish organizations called the upcoming Philadelphia boycott ride targeting Jewish-owned businesses near Rittenhouse Square "Jew-Hatred, plain and simple."Fox News · 4 Nov, 21:20

In this story: Philadelphia · Rittenhouse Square · Philly Bike On Your Left · Anti-Defamation League · Marti Lieberman · Mac Mart · Kristallnacht

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log