Anti-Israel activists in Philadelphia have scheduled a bicycle boycott ride targeting Jewish-owned and Israeli-associated local businesses, with the demonstration deliberately set to take place on November 8, falling on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi-orchestrated pogrom targeting Jewish communities, homes, and businesses in Germany and Austria.
Organized by Philly Bike On Your Left in collaboration with Boycott CookNSolo and Philly Solidarity Calendar, the promotional flyer for the event posted on social media features an illustration of a bicycle overlaid with red prohibition symbols targeting specific local establishments.
The graphic explicitly singles out several dining locations in the city, displaying crossed-out warning icons over the names Mac Mart, K'Far Cafe, Huda, Goldie, Dizengoff, and Schlesinger's.
The organizers published a direct call to action in the post's description, stating: "Ride around Rittenhouse with us as we show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are. We'll flag as many bikes as we can and show our solidarity with the Palestinian community and oppressed folx [folks] everywhere."
Additional text featured on the graphic demanded: "No business for zionists! These zionist establishments must go! Not in our city!" The promotional materials and accompanying Instagram post outlined that the protest is scheduled to start at Rittenhouse Square.
Community leaders condemn ride on eve of Kristallnacht
The scheduling of the boycott ride on the eve of Kristallnacht has drawn intense condemnation from local community leaders and major advocacy organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia, the American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern NJ, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and StandWithUs.
In a joint statement, the organizations declared, "Let’s be clear: This is antisemitism. It is Jew-Hatred, plain and simple."
The statement elaborated on the alarming nature of the demonstration, noting: "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 our city. No business should be targeted because of the identity, heritage, or perceived political beliefs of its owners. The ride 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, while thousands of Jews were beaten, assaulted and sent to concentration camps. The public targeting of Jewish businesses should alarm every person of conscience. We cannot allow such hatred to become normalized in Philadelphia."
Calling for urgent intervention and public support, the statement added: "We call on Mayor Cherelle Parker, Governor Josh Shapiro, District Attorney Larry Krasner and all elected officials and civic leaders to unequivocally condemn this campaign. Silence and equivocation are unacceptable when members of our community are being singled out and told they do not belong. We also urge the Philadelphia Police Department to ensure the safety of these businesses, their employees and their customers. We also call on Philadelphians of every faith and background to stand with these businesses. Patronize them. Bring your families, friends, and colleagues. Counter this discriminatory boycott with increased business and visible solidarity."
The watchdog group, Stop Antisemitism, condemned the scheduled “boycott of the city’s Jewish eateries this Sunday, November 8th” as “Grotesque” on X.
Executive Director of Stop Antisemitism, Liora Rez, said in a statement to The Jerusalem Post, “Boycotting Jewish-owned restaurants on the eve of Kristallnacht is a chilling display of antisemitism. Nearly 88 years after Nazi mobs smashed the windows of Jewish businesses simply because they were Jewish, we are witnessing calls to economically target Jewish business owners once again. Dressing up antisemitism as activism does not make it any less hateful. Targeting Jews in their livelihoods is not political; it is discrimination.”
The American Zionist Movement (AZM) said it was "deeply disturbed by the promotion of an event in Philadelphia that explicitly targets businesses labeled as 'Zionist' and calls for them to be driven out of the city. Whatever one's views on Israel or its government, targeting Jewish-owned businesses under the guise of opposing Zionism is antisemitism. These businesses appear to be targeted because of the Jewish identity of their owners.”
"Peaceful protest and political expression are fundamental rights. But the language used to promote this event goes beyond expressing disagreement with Israeli policies. It sends a troubling message to the owners, employees and patrons of the businesses being targeted, particularly at a time of heightened concern about antisemitism,” AZM said.
"We urge community leaders and public officials to speak out clearly against antisemitism and ensure that all Philadelphians can operate their businesses and participate in public life without fear of harassment or intimidation,” AZM added.
"We also call on Philadelphians of every faith and background to stand with these businesses by visiting them, bringing their families, friends and colleagues, and demonstrating that discrimination and intimidation have no place in their city. The most meaningful response to this boycott is increased support and visible solidarity.”
Pennsylvania Attorney-General Dave Sunday said the “planned bike ride boycott of Jewish-owned restaurants in and around Rittenhouse Square on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht is deeply unsettling. By explicitly targeting businesses because their owners are Jewish, the organizers are engaging in a form of discrimination that falls back on some of the oldest antisemitic tropes and tactics in history.”
“This is not simply a protest directed at the policies of Israel, rather it singles out our fellow Pennsylvanians based on their Jewish identity, targeting them for policies they have nothing to do with and no ability to affect because of their faith. That is unconscionable in our Commonwealth which was founded on religious tolerance and unacceptable in a city that prides itself on brotherly love,” Sunday said.