Pennsylvania Democrat Condemns Antisemitic Protests in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square
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A top Pennsylvania Democrat forcefully denounced antisemitic demonstrations that took place in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square over the weekend, stating he felt compelled to speak out as an American Muslim. The protests, organized by a group identifying as the Philly Palestine Coalition, featured inflammatory slogans and calls for violence, prompting widespread condemnation.
Outcry Over Pro-Hamas Rhetoric
The demonstrations drew immediate criticism for displaying slogans such as “Abu Obeida Lives” – a reference to a deceased Hamas spokesperson – and for speakers declaring “martyrdom is a commitment [and] a principle.” Participants also reportedly called for “intifada,” according to reports from the Jewish News Service.
State Sen. Sharif Street of North Philadelphia, the first elected Muslim in the Pennsylvania State Senate and a candidate to succeed retiring Rep. Dwight Evans, issued a strong statement. “I forcefully condemn the antisemitic rally that took place today in Rittenhouse Square,” he said. “As an American Muslim, I feel compelled to say that Hamas is a terrorist organization and should be condemned – not glorified. Anyone calling for violence in the streets of Philadelphia is not advancing peace. They’re setting it back.”
A Bipartisan Rejection of Hate
Street’s condemnation aligns with that of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who has emerged as a prominent voice against antisemitism, notably speaking out against similar behavior at the University of Pennsylvania in 2025. Street highlighted the importance of condemning hate in all its forms, citing the firebombing of Shapiro’s Harrisburg residence and mass shootings at a Pittsburgh synagogue and an AME church in Charleston, South Carolina, as stark reminders of the dangers of extremism.
“The small group protesting today may not wield much power in our city, but we have seen time and again the dangers of inciting violence,” Street stated, echoing the sentiment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who believed “hate cannot drive out hate – only love can do that.” He emphasized the need to “stand against the rising tide of extremism and do the hard work of building a peace where every person, Jewish and Muslim, Israeli and Palestinian, can live in safety.”
Nuance in the Debate
In a recent interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Street offered a more nuanced perspective on the Israel-Gaza war than some other Muslim lawmakers, such as U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. He suggested that while Benjamin Netanyahu is not alone in committing war crimes – citing former U.S. President Donald Trump as another example – calls for the dismantling of entire nations are unacceptable.
Meanwhile, another Democrat vying for Evans’ seat, state Rep. Chris Rabb, took a more confrontational stance, reportedly stating, “F— AIPAC,” to The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Republican Support for Condemnation
Pennsylvania State Rep. Martina White, along with Minority Leader Jesse Topper and other GOP leaders, echoed Street’s condemnation. In a joint statement, they described the Rittenhouse Square demonstration as “overt hate heading toward acts of terrorism against our Jewish neighbors.” They specifically denounced the display of effigies of Israeli soldiers and calls for “martyrdom-style attacks” as a “clear call for terroristic attacks on people, including women and children.”
The Philly Palestine Coalition could not be immediately reached for comment. The incident underscores the growing tensions surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict and the urgent need for leaders to unequivocally condemn antisemitism and all forms of hate speech.
