Philly Boycott Fails as Jewish Businesses See Strong Support
A boycott of Jewish-owned businesses in Philly sparked backlash and failed, with customers flocking to targeted restaurants.
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A planned boycott of Jewish-owned businesses in Philadelphia by a bike riding club collapsed amid intense public backlash, with customers flocking to the targeted restaurants despite the protest.
Boycott Sparks Tensions and Arrests
Organized by Philly Bike on Your Left, an anti-fascist, anti-Zionist group, the boycott aimed to target several Jewish-owned restaurants in opposition to Israel. However, the event quickly turned chaotic, with pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters clashing in the city.
Philadelphia police reported three arrests during the incident, including a woman charged with assault, a man on disorderly conduct, and a 17-year-old accused of assaulting police. Despite the group’s efforts, the boycott failed to deter customers, with long lines forming outside several restaurants, including Mac Mart, K’Far Café, Huda, Goldie, Schlesinger’s, and Dizengoff.
Businesses Stand Firm Against Boycott
At least some of the targeted businesses are owned by the CookNSolo restaurant group, which has reported Israeli co-owners who have publicly supported and fundraised for Israel. In response, Boycott CookNSolo posted on Instagram, stating, “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.”
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the protest as antisemitic, stating, “This protest is an attempt to intimidate a Jewish community that has faced generations of violence, exclusion and antisemitism.” The ADL urged people to support the Jewish businesses, emphasizing that holding them responsible for Middle East events is a form of antisemitism.
Community and Political Response
Michael Balaban, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, called the boycott an attack on the Jewish community and vowed to respond with strength. “When people come to attack the Jewish community, we want to meet those attacks tenfold, a hundredfold with people,” he said.
The protest occurred just one day before the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a Nazi-organized riot that targeted Jewish businesses and homes. While Philly Bike on Your Left claimed the date was a coincidence, the timing sparked renewed discussions on antisemitism and the importance of supporting Jewish-owned businesses.
Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro also condemned the boycott, stating, “Hate and antisemitism have no place in our Commonwealth.”
Source: Breitbart
