Three people were arrested Sunday as roughly 500 demonstrators clashed in Philadelphia during a pro-Palestinian bike ride targeting six Jewish- and Israeli-owned businesses, according to the Philadelphia Police Department, according to CBS News.
Organized by the group Philly Bike On Your Left, the demonstration began around noon in Rittenhouse Square and drew roughly 300 anti-Israel demonstrators alongside approximately 200 counterprotesters. Police reported that a woman was arrested for assault, a man for disorderly conduct, and a 17-year-old boy for allegedly assaulting police, leaving two officers with minor injuries.
The boycott targeted establishments including Mac Mart, K’Far Café, Huda, Goldie, Schlesinger’s, and Dizengoff. Organizers posted a flyer on social media 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.
The event coincided with the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi-led pogrom against Jewish communities in Germany and Austria. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro condemned the demonstration as antisemitic, while his press secretary, Rosie Lapowsky, stated on X that the ride was nothing more than blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities.
, according to USA Today
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker noted that while everyone has the right to peacefully protest, singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called the planned ride deeply unsettling
in a commonwealth founded on religious tolerance.
Prior to the protest, faith leaders, state lawmakers, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, and Pennsylvania First Lady Lori Shapiro joined roughly a dozen attendees at Dizengoff in Center City for a Friday solidarity lunch hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
State Representative Amen Brown called the event disgraceful, hateful and completely unacceptable, while Judy Schwank, co-chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Jewish Caucus, described it as an attack on the diversity and culture that makes Center City beloved in the state. U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle noted that the proximity to Kristallnacht’s anniversary evokes history’s darkest chapters.
More than 2,000 supporters flooded the streets surrounding the targeted eateries in response to the boycott call, according to Noa Peri-Jensch, chief communities officer at the Israeli-American Council. Patrons waited in extended lines to dine at the locations, and the nonprofit organization JewBelong installed billboards at 14 locations across Philadelphia urging residents to support the affected businesses.
Former City Council member Allan Domb, who owns Schlesinger’s deli, expressed appreciation for the community support, stating that hate has no place in Philadelphia. Jay Zirkle, communications director for End Jew-Hatred, stated that supporters flooded the streets carrying signs reading ‘End Jew-Hatred’ and ‘I am not a Jew with trembling knees’ to make it clear that hatred would not have the final word.
Marti Lieberman, owner of Mac Mart, decided to open her kiosk despite typical Sunday closures and described an overwhelming outpouring of community backing. I’m 37 years old and in 37 years I have never felt this amount of support,
Lieberman told Jewish Insider, adding that customers formed a protective barrier around the shop.