Boycott targeting Jewish-owned restaurants draws backlash
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A planned pro-Palestinian bike ride on Sunday in Rittenhouse calling for a boycott of restaurants amid the war in Gaza is drawing intense backlash.
The big picture: The demonstration, announced on Instagram late last month, comes as the Israel-Hamas war has raged for years.
Driving the news: The boycott ride appears to be organized by activist group Philly Bike on Your Left and is targeting restaurants that include those under the CookNSolo brand — like Goldie and K'Far, which are co-owned by Israeli-American chef and restaurateur Michael Solomonov.
- The event aims to show solidarity with the Palestinian community.
- The group did not return requests for comment.
Friction point: The small, little-known group behind the ride has suddenly captured the attention of Mayor Cherelle Parker and Gov. Josh Shapiro.
- The Anti-Defamation League, in a statement condemning the event and calling on leaders to do the same, pointed out that the event falls on the eve of the "Night of Broken Glass," or Kristallnacht.
Zoom in: Mayor Cherelle Paker said while "everyone has the right to peacefully protest and express their political views," police will maintain safety and order throughout the demonstration.
Plus: Shapiro spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky tells Axios in part that the "bike ride, masquerading as a protest to advance the cause of justice, is nothing more than blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities."
Meanwhile, several pro-Jewish activists and groups have criticized the planned boycott as antisemitism.
- "No business should be targeted because of the identity, heritage or perceived political beliefs of its owners," the ADL said in its statement.