Tensions rise in Philadelphia over boycott of Jewish-owned restaurants

A bike ride organized to promote a boycott of several Jewish-owned restaurants drew opposing demonstrators to Philadelphia on Sunday, with people waving Palestinian and Israeli flags exchanging heated words. NBC Philadelphia witnessed several verbal confrontations between the groups in the city’s Rittenhouse Square. A line of Philadelphia police officers worked to keep the groups separated as tensions continued to build before the bike ride had even begun. Three people were arrested Sunday, according to a spokesperson for the Philadelphia Police Department, as approximately 300 pro-Palestinian protesters clashed with roughly 200 pro-Israeli counter-protesters. One adult woman was arrested for assault, one adult man for disorderly conduct and one 17-year-old teenage boy for assault on police, according to the spokesperson. Meanwhile, some of the restaurants targeted by the boycott were seeing long lines of customers supporting. By early afternoon, all demonstrators had dispersed, police said, with no property damage reported. The protest was organized by Philly Bike On Your Left, a group that describes itself as an “anti-fascist, anti-Zionist social cycling collective.” On Oct. 31, the group announced plans to boycott what it called “Zionist establishments” in Rittenhouse Square in solidarity with the Palestinian community. The restaurants named in the boycott include Mac Mart, K’Far Café, Huda, Goldie, Schlesinger’s and Dizengoff. Half of the establishments targeted are owned by Philadelphia restaurant group CookNSolo, whose Israeli co-owners have publicly supported and fundraised for Israel’s military efforts. The restaurant group has already been the target of a local “Boycott CookNSolo” campaign that says it protests the restaurateurs for “materially and ideologically support[ing] the ongoing occupation and genocide of Palestinians.” “We stand with the organizers of the Boycott Ride, a small group of bicyclists against genocide who have been doxxed and villainized by social media Zionists and self-serving politicians,” Boycott CookNSolo wrote in an Instagram post this weekend. On Sunday, a group of protesters holding a “Boycott CookNSolo” banner was seen marching in the city while raising a Palestinian flag, according to footage shared on the public safety app Citizen. In it, a counter-protester appeared to walk in front of the group carrying a large Israeli flag. The planned boycott ride by Philly Bike On Your Left drew widespread criticism, including from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker and Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, who condemned the boycott on social media. The Anti-Defamation League also encouraged people to show their support by dining at the targeted restaurants and other Jewish-owned businesses. “This protest is an attempt to intimidate a Jewish community that has faced generations of violence, exclusion and antisemitism. It’s the latest in a string of incidents that hold Jewish businesses responsible for events in the Middle East,” the ADL wrote. “That’s antisemitic, plain and simple. But we refuse to let hate win.” Billboards urge Philadelphians to ‘boycott the boycott’ In response to the planned ride, nonprofit organization JewBelong installed billboards at 14 locations across Philadelphia urging people to support Jewish-owned businesses. The billboards read, “Running over Jewish businesses isn’t a peace plan,” and encourage residents to “boycott the boycott ride.” The demonstration also falls on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, or the “Night of Broken Glass,” when Nazi-organized antisemitic attacks targeted 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.” “We stand firmly against racism and oppression of all forms, including fascism, antisemitism, islamophobia and colonialism.” It added that the ride was planned “around people’s schedules” and that any implications “about the timing of our ride are simply false.” “There are business owners in our community who have raised funds for the Israeli military, hosted Israeli soldiers, were praised by Benjamin Netanyahu, or expressed support for Israel,” the organization wrote. “How we spend our money is a reflection of our values.” Ahead of the bike ride, Governor Josh Shapiro on Friday joined in on the condemnations. “Hate and antisemitism have no place in our Commonwealth,” Shapiro wrote on X. “And I’m grateful to state and local law enforcement who will work to make sure our neighborhoods remain safe this weekend.” After the demonstration on Sunday, Mac Mart’s owner Marti Lieberman wrote in an email that although she did spot some protesters, the group eventually moved on without direct confrontation. She added that local customers, supporters and police officers “shielded us from the commotion.” “We were truly overwhelmed by the wonderful crowd of people who came out to line up and show their support at our shop throughout the entire day—it was absolutely amazing!” Lieberman said. “We are so deeply grateful for all the love and strength we’ve received from our community.”