Philadelphia Jewish Organizations Condemn Planned Oct. 7 Demonstration in Rittenhouse Square

Philadelphia Jewish organizations have condemned a planned demonstration scheduled for Tuesday evening in Rittenhouse Square, calling it an attempt to commemorate the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7. The event, which organizers are promoting through social media, includes phrases such as “Long Live Al Aqsa Flood,” the military designation Hamas used for its operation, as well as “honor the martyrs” and “glory to the resistance.”

Three years after the Hamas attacks, local Jewish leaders continue to express the profound impact of the tragedy on Philadelphia’s Jewish community. Jason Holtzman, chief of the Jewish Community Relations Council at the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, described the day as “literally like living through a nightmare” and “one of the hardest days of my entire life.”

Andrew Goretsky, senior regional director of the Anti-Defamation League’s Philadelphia office, emphasized that the October 7 anniversary should be a time of mourning and remembrance, not a platform for political scoring. He noted that the planned demonstration risks minimizing the suffering of both Jewish and non-Jewish victims.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the local chapter of the Anti-Defamation League have condemned the event, as have several state lawmakers. Holtzman reiterated that while empathy for the Palestinian people is valid, it does not justify embracing a terrorist group like Hamas.

Earlier in the day, a small group of protesters gathered outside the Anti-Defamation League’s Center City office, holding signs that included the message: “October 7th is the wake up call for the world to learn about Israel’s crimes for the last 80 years.” One protester, who asked to remain anonymous, stated, “Most of the world did not know because most of the news does not show all the crimes that Israel has been committing.”

Goretsky warned that while protesting Israel’s policies is a right, choosing October 7 for such demonstrations is intended to cause harm to Jews. Local Jewish leaders have informed law enforcement about the planned demonstration and have alerted synagogues and schools in the area, expressing concern for the safety of community members.

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