by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief
PHILADELPHIA (Worthy News) – A planned anti-Israel bicycle protest targeting Jewish-owned restaurants in Philadelphia has sparked widespread condemnation from elected officials, religious leaders, and Jewish organizations, particularly because the demonstration is scheduled for Sunday, November 8, the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht.
The protest, organized by a group calling itself “Philly Bike On Your Left,” calls for a boycott of six Jewish- and Israeli-owned establishments near Rittenhouse Square, including Goldie, Dizengoff, K’Far Café, Huda, Mac Mart, and Schlesinger’s Deli.
Promotional materials declared, “These Zionist establishments must go! Not in our city!” Critics say the campaign echoes historical efforts to intimidate Jewish merchants and drive them out of business.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker condemned the demonstration, declaring, “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.”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday also denounced the boycott, warning that targeting businesses because of their owners’ Jewish identity revives some of history’s oldest antisemitic tactics.
The timing has heightened concerns. On November 9–10, 1938, Nazi-organized violence swept across Germany and Austria during Kristallnacht, destroying Jewish businesses, synagogues, and homes while thousands of Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
In response, Jewish organizations and community supporters have organized a counter-campaign encouraging residents to patronize the targeted restaurants. The nonprofit JewBelong erected 14 billboards across Philadelphia urging residents to reject the boycott.
Yehuda Sichel, owner of Huda and grandson of Holocaust survivors, told JNS that the Jewish community’s support has been overwhelming.
“We won’t cower,” Sichel said. “We’ll show up strong with pride and solidarity and keep the focus on peaceful support.”
The protest organizers, meanwhile, maintain that their campaign opposes Zionism and Israeli policies rather than Jewish identity, rejecting accusations of antisemitism.
Philadelphia police have pledged to maintain public safety while protecting both local businesses and the constitutional rights of peaceful demonstrators.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
