Philadelphia Restaurants Named in Planned “Boycott Ride” Rally Draw Antisemitism Condemnation

Allan Domb, a former two-term Philadelphia City Councilmember and a prominent real estate developer, said he was “surprised” to learn that one of his businesses, Schlesinger’s, a Center City Jewish deli, had been singled out for harassment. He told City & State on Tuesday that the campaign was carried out by an anti-Israel and antisemitic movement whose purported aim, according to a now-deleted Instagram post, was to “show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are.”

Schlesinger’s is one of six Center City restaurants targeted by a pro-Palestinian bike ride, apparently called “Boycott Ride,” scheduled for this Sunday, Nov. 8, beginning in Rittenhouse Square. The organizers’ stated aim, as reported, is to oust Jewish- and Israeli-owned businesses from the city. The other named establishments are Huda Burger, Mac Mart, and Goldie’s, K’far Café and Dizengoff. Goldie’s, K’far Café and Dizengoff feature the Israeli cuisine of the chef-restaurateur Michael Solomonov. Aside from Solomonov, the owners of the other businesses are American Jews.

The rally flyer, according to City & State, uses language reminiscent of Nazi propaganda against German Jewish businesses, including the slogan “Kauf nicht bei Juden!” (“Don’t buy from Jews!”). The flyer declares: “No business for Zionists! These Zionist establishments must go! Not in our city!”

Jewish media initially reported that the flyers had been circulated by Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza. It appears, however, that the main organizer is Philly Bike On Your Left, an activist group. The Instagram announcement lists Philly Solidarity Calendar and Boycott CookNSolo as “collaborators.” Boycott CookNSolo is devoted to organizing against CookNSolo, the Philadelphia restaurant group behind Solomonov’s establishments. None of the listed collaborators responded to requests for comment.

The chosen date is significant to many observers. Nov. 8 is the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the state-sponsored attacks on Jewish people across Nazi Germany, Austria and the Sudetenland on Nov. 9-10, 1938, when more than 7,000 Jewish businesses were damaged or destroyed, thousands of homes and synagogues were also damaged, and 30,000 Jewish men were deported to concentration camps. Elizabeth Berney, director of research and special projects for the Zionist Organization of America, said that because of the connection, “For the Jewish people, (the date) really heightens the distress that this is happening,” adding, “A lot of this can turn to violence.” Berney, whose father was a refugee from Nazi Germany, also said that similar efforts had been reported elsewhere, including in New York City, where, she said, businesses had been targeted and windows broken.

The Anti-Defamation League Philadelphia, American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern NJ, The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and StandWithUs issued a joint statement “strongly condemning” the rally. The statement said, “Let’s be clear: This is antisemitism. It is Jew-Hatred, plain and simple,” and distinguished criticism of a government from “targeting businesses because their owners are Jewish or perceived to be connected to Israel.” The groups called on Mayor Cherelle Parker, Gov. Josh Shapiro, District Attorney Larry Krasner and other civic leaders to speak out against the campaign, a call to peacemaking (Matthew 5:9), and urged Philadelphians of all backgrounds to support the targeted businesses with “visible solidarity.”

Renee Chenault-Fattah, executive director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, said the city’s civil rights agency “reaffirms its 75-year commitment to fighting racism, antisemitism and in recent years, islamophobia.” She added that “Acts of bigotry, violence and hate cannot be tolerated.” The campaign did not explain why it targeted restaurants specifically. In an Instagram post responding to suggestions of other Jewish-owned businesses, an organizer said the eateries were chosen for their biking proximity to Rittenhouse Square.

Domb said he had contacted the captain of his local police district and the Pennsylvania State Police, and that both were “very supportive,” with extra state troopers promised locally for protection. A Philadelphia Police Department spokesperson told City & State that, while unable to discuss specifics, the department was aware of the planned rally and would “take appropriate measures … to ensure the safety of everyone involved.” Domb said that since word of the rally spread online, “the support of local Philadelphians has been pretty amazing. People are really upset. People want to be supportive – and it’s nice to see that, not just for myself, but for my colleagues also targeted.”