Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Boycott Ride Targeting Jewish Businesses Draws Condemnation

A bicycle ride planned for Sunday, Nov. 8, in Rittenhouse Square that names Jewish and Israeli owned businesses in Philadelphia has drawn condemnation from Jewish organizations, city officials and state leaders. Police say they are aware of the event and are putting safety first.

The ride is promoted by Philly Bike On Your Left, Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza, Boycott CookNSolo and Philly Solidarity Calendar. A flyer lists Dizengoff, Huda, Schlesinger's, K'Far Cafe, Goldie and Mac Mart, set for 11:30 a.m. in Rittenhouse Square, according to FOX 29 and Fox News. Three of the businesses are run by CookNSolo, the restaurant group started by Israeli chef Michael Solomonov.

Jewish groups call the ride antisemitism

On Monday, the Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia, the American Jewish Committee Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and StandWithUs issued a joint statement condemning the planned ride. The statement said: "Let's be clear: This is antisemitism. It is Jew-Hatred, plain and simple." It said marking businesses for removal from Philadelphia is an attempt to intimidate, marginalize and exclude members of the Jewish community from the economic and civic life of the city.

The groups said free speech protects political expression and criticism of Israeli government policies, but does not provide a license for threats, harassment, intimidation or discrimination. They called on city and state leaders to condemn the campaign and asked residents to support the named businesses. The ride falls on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the night of Nov. 9-10, 1938, when Nazi organized mobs destroyed Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues in Germany and Austria.

City and state leaders respond

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a statement through spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky saying the administration is aware of the planned protest and the Pennsylvania State Police is engaged with local partners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of neighbors in Philadelphia. The statement called the ride blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of communities, and said there is no place for that in the Commonwealth. FOX 29 reported that Pennsylvania's two senators and the state attorney general also condemned the planned ride.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's office pointed to remarks by Renee Chenault-Fattah, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, which reaffirmed its commitment to fighting racism, antisemitism and Islamophobia and said acts of bigotry, violence and hate cannot be tolerated. Philadelphia police told FOX 29 they are prioritizing the safety of everyone involved and of the general public. It is not clear what actions the cyclists plan to take as they ride past the listed businesses, FOX 29 reported.

Owners say they will stay open

Yehuda Sichel, chef and owner of Huda in Rittenhouse, told FOX 29 and Fox News he will keep his doors open. He said he is proud to be Jewish and supportive of Israel, that neither should make his business a target, and that as the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, seeing Jewish businesses targeted on the eve of the Kristallnacht anniversary is deeply personal. He said the business has received positive support since the ride was announced.

Mac Mart owner Marti Lieberman told Fox News it is heartbreaking to have to defend her business, and that everyone is still welcome at the Mac Mart window. A community food crawl is being organized to support the named businesses, FOX 29 reported. Fox News said it reached out to Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza and Boycott CookNSolo for comment and did not immediately receive a response.