Anti-Israel organizations are planning a “boycott ride” of restaurants at Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia. (Jumping Rocks/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
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Jewish organizations called on Philadelphia and Pennsylvania leaders to condemn an upcoming “boycott ride” targeting pro-Israel and “Zionist establishments” in a statement Monday.
The organizations Philly Bike On Your Left, Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza, Boycott CookNSolo and Philly Solidarity Calendar shared a flier promoting the bicycle boycott event at Rittenhouse Square on Nov. 8.
“Ride around Rittenhouse with us as we show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are,” Philly Bike On Your Left wrote on Instagram.
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Philly Bike On Your Left, Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza, Boycott CookNSolo and Philly Solidarity Calendar are planning a boycott of businesses they describe as Zionist-owned in Philadelphia. (Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The flier included the names of Philadelphia businesses, including Dizengoff, Huda, Schlesinger’s and Mac Mart, all of which are owned by either Israeli or Jewish Americans.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Philadelphia, American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern NJ, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and StandWithUs released a joint statement condemning the event as “Jew-Hatred, plain and simple” and called on city and state leadership to do the same.
“Free speech protects political expression and criticism of Israeli government policies. It does not provide a license for threats, harassment, intimidation, or discrimination. There is a profound difference between criticizing a government and targeting businesses because their owners are Jewish or perceived to be connected to Israel,” the statement read.
The organizations also remarked that the boycott’s scheduled date would occur on the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a Nazi-organized attack on Jewish homes, synagogues and businesses in Germany and Austria.
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Philadelphia and Pennsylvania leaders, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, released a statement condemning the upcoming boycott. (Tom Brenner/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s office pointed to remarks shared Tuesday by Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations (PCHR) Executive Director Renee Chenault-Fattah.
“The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations reaffirms its 75-year commitment to fighting racism, antisemitism and, in recent years, Islamophobia. Acts of bigotry, violence and hate cannot be tolerated, and we will never stand by and allow businesses, individuals or jobs to be run out of our city, full stop,” the statement read.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro also issued a statement to Fox News Digital condemning the event and assuring Jewish communities that his administration was working with authorities ahead of Sunday.
“The Shapiro Administration is aware of this planned protest and the Pennsylvania State Police is engaged with our local partners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors in Philadelphia. This 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, and there is no place for that in our Commonwealth,” Shapiro spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky said.
Ahead of the planned boycott, some of the targeted businesses reported receiving broad support from the public.
Mac Mart owner Marti Lieberman told Fox News Digital that while it is “heartbreaking” to have to defend her business, she hoped the attention would shed light on what other small-business owners were were facing.
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Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s office cited a statement from the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations condemning “acts of bigotry, violence and hate,” in response to a question about the planned protest. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
“We are absolutely feeling the love from this community, and we don’t take a single order, kind message, or person showing up for us for granted,” Lieberman said. “Our hope is that this attention also sheds some light on what small business owners are dealing with, often quietly, and brings accountability to those choosing to target and tear down businesses without considering the real people behind them.”
“At the end of the day, we want to keep doing what we built Mac Mart to do: feed people, make them feel welcome, and send them off a little happier than when they arrived. Everyone is still welcome at our window,” she added.
Huda owner Yehuda Sichel defended his Jewish heritage and pledged to stand against the boycott.
“I’m proud to be Jewish and supportive of Israel. Neither should make my business a target,” Sichel told Fox News Digital. “As the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, seeing Jewish businesses targeted on the eve of the Kristallnacht anniversary is deeply personal.”
“Since this was announced, we’ve received nothing but positive support, with people coming in to patronize our business in response to this boycott,” he added. “Our doors are open to everyone, and we’re not going anywhere.”
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Fox News Digital reached out to Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza and Boycott CookNSolo, two of the groups promoting the event, for comment but did not immediately receive a response.