Opposition to antisemitic bike ride in Philly shifts into high gear

As news spread this week that a planned Sunday “Boycott Ride” bike rally aimed at driving Jewish businesses out of Philadelphia, myriad officials and civic leaders – from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker to the state restaurant association – responded with statements condemning the event and urging solidarity with the embattled Jewish business community.

The Rittenhouse Square rally – publicized in flyers emblazoned with antisemitic slogans like “No business for Zionists! These Zionist establishments must go! Not in our city!” – was apparently organized by Philly Bike On Your Left, an activist group that has since taken down its Instagram page promoting the rally, which declared that the event would “show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are.” The group did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Michael Balaban, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, said the planned action is “antisemitism, plain and simple. I don’t see anyone lining up in front of an Iranian restaurant or to protest Russian-owned businesses, to name other conflicts across the globe … It is Jew hatred, and they can disguise it any way they want as politics, but it’s not.”

“As an American, I respect the First Amendment – and if you have an issue with the government, go protest at an embassy, a consulate, but don’t target a Jewish-owned business or an Israeli-owned business,” he added.

The targeted businesses were K’far Café, Goldie and Dizengoff, all co-owned by famed Israel-born chef Michael Solomonov, as well as Mac Mart, Huda Burger and Schlesinger’s, each owned and operated by Jewish Americans. 

And the event’s date, Nov. 8, is the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht – a vast, state-sponsored pogrom that destroyed thousands of Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues across Nazi Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland (part of modern-day Czechia) on Nov. 9-10, 1938, and seized and deported 30,000 Jews to concentration camps.

Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, whose district is home to several of the targeted restaurants, emphasized his concern over the timing of the planned boycott, which Johnson called in a public letter to the Jewish Federation “especially troubling … We cannot ignore the historical significance of this moment or the dangerous consequences of allowing antisemitism and hatred to go unchecked in America.”

“I strongly condemn the targeting of Jewish-owned businesses in Philadelphia and the growing rhetoric of hate and antisemitism directed toward our Jewish community,” he added. “Philadelphia is a city built on diversity, inclusion, and respect for people of all backgrounds and faiths. No business owner should be singled out, harassed, intimidated, or told they are not welcome in our city.”

Parker, who has made unity among Philadelphians central to her political brand, sounded a similar note in a statement on Thursday. “No one should be targeted, threatened, or made to feel unwelcome because of their faith, identity or background,” she said, adding that she was working with the police commissioner to ensure public safety this weekend.

“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.”

State Rep. Ben Waxman, who is Jewish and represents a Philadelphia district that is home to several of the targeted establishments, said in a statement that “people have every right to criticize the Israeli government and to protest U.S. foreign policy. But those decisions are made in Washington, not in the kitchens of Center City restaurants. Take those demands to the officials with the power to act.

“Holding your Jewish neighbors responsible for a foreign government’s actions is antisemitism,” he added. “No one should have to pass a political test to run a restaurant, earn a living, or feel welcome in the neighborhood we share. ”

The Anti-Defamation League of Philadelphia, which had earlier co-signed a joint statement with other Jewish organizations condemning the rally, on Thursday released an online pledge where Philadelphians commit to showing their solidarity by dining this week at Jewish-owned restaurants.“The best answer to a discriminatory act is to show up for those targeted,” said Andrew Goretsky, ADL Philadelphia’s senior regional director. “Patronize these businesses ... Hate counts on us staying away. Let’s fight it by showing up.”

“Restaurants should remain places where people can work, dine, and gather without fear,” said Ben Fileccia, the Philadelphia-based senior vice president for strategy and engagement at the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, in a statement. He added that the group supports “the right to peaceful protest while firmly opposing antisemitism, harassment, and intimidation.”

As he headed to Goldie for a tehina shake on Thursday, Balaban said he had been heartened by what he described “as a groundswell of support for the Jewish community … We’re here to stay,” he affirmed. “Not only are we not going anywhere, we’re going to get stronger. All this does is unify us – and push us to continue with the success that we’ve had as a community.”