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By Megan Cartwright
Associate News Editor
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JewBelong has installed 14 billboards across Philadelphia urging residents to "boycott the boycott" ahead of a bicycle demonstration targeting six Jewish-owned restaurants on Sunday. The billboards read: "Running over Jewish businesses isn’t a peace plan."
Philly Bike On Your Left says the businesses were selected because of their owners’ support for Israel, not because they are Jewish, and said Saturday in an Instagram statement that the campaign had been "grossly misrepresented."
The demonstration has been condemned by Pennsylvania and Philadelphia officials, while targeted restaurants and neighboring businesses are encouraging customers to show their support.
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The competing campaigns threaten to come to a head Sunday, amid heightened police preparations and one day before the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi attacks on Jewish communities.
Newsweek contacted JewBelong and the Philadelphia Police Department via email for comment on Sunday.
Billboards Urge Philadelphia to ‘Boycott the Boycott’
The dispute over a planned pro-Palestinian bicycle protest has spread across Philadelphia as supporters of the businesses prepare their own response.
JewBelong, a nonprofit Jewish advocacy organization, has placed billboards at 14 locations bearing the message: "Running over Jewish businesses isn’t a peace plan." They urge residents to "boycott the boycott ride."
The signs respond to a demonstration organized by Philly Bike On Your Left, an "anti-fascist, anti-Zionist social cycling collective," which plans to gather in Rittenhouse Square at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, before beginning its ride at noon.
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Its original flyer names Mac Mart, K’Far Café, Huda, Goldie, Schlesinger’s and Dizengoff and declares: "These Zionist establishments must go."
Organizers say the action is intended as solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to the business owners’ alleged support for Israel.
"Israel is thousands of miles away. These people are in Philly with their restaurants," JewBelong co-founder Archie Gottesman told 6abc. "Since when are Jewish restaurant owners responsible for anything that happens anywhere in the world?"
Organizers Say the Ride Has Been ‘Grossly Misrepresented’
Philly Bike On Your Left has continued to defend the protest as criticism of Israel rather than Jewish people.
In its statement, published early Saturday, the organization described itself as a "non-violent social cycling" group and said: "We stand firmly against racism and oppression of all forms, including fascism, antisemitism, Islamophobia and colonialism."
"Let us be clear: the reason we are calling for a boycott of these businesses is because of their support for Israel," the statement said.
A separate Instagram update about Sunday’s ride emphasized that it would be nonviolent and described the event as an exercise of First Amendment rights. The group advised cyclists to wear helmets, watch for road hazards and, if approached by media, direct reporters to organizers.
The group has also rejected criticism surrounding the timing, previously arguing that invoking Kristallnacht is being used to distract from events in Gaza and the West Bank. Organizers have said the ride taking place on November 8, the day before the anniversary, is coincidental.
"We plan rides around people's schedules. Palestinians need our support now."
Businesses Rally Ahead of Sunday’s Demonstration
The boycott has prompted a show of support for restaurant owners.
A social media post from Rittenhouse Row said the organization "wholeheartedly stands with all of our businesses" and encouraged people to eat at each of the six establishments.
Huda has also thanked supporters, telling followers that people unable to visit Sunday could buy gift cards or merchandise.
Owner Yehuda Sichel previously told Jerusalem News Syndicate (JNS) that he would not be intimidated by the protest, saying: "I’m proud to be Jewish and supportive of Israel. Neither should make my business a target."
Schlesinger’s owner Allan Domb similarly told Newsweek that his deli would open Sunday and that he planned to be there personally.
"Absolutely, and I will be there," Domb said Friday. "The police will be out in force, but I’m not really worried."
Mac Mart, which ordinarily does not open on Sundays, also plans to open. Co-owner Marti Lieberman has said protesters appeared to assume that she supports Israel because she wears a Star of David necklace.
Political Condemnation Widens
Condemnation has expanded beyond the officials who spoke out earlier in the week.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner joined elected officials, faith leaders and community representatives at a Friday solidarity lunch for restaurants targeted by the planned boycott, according to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia political leaders, including Governor Josh Shapiro, Attorney General Dave Sunday and Mayor Cherelle Parker, have also criticized the demonstration.
Representative Brad Schneider of Illinois condemned the planned ride too, describing it as an "antisemitic campaign" and thanking local leaders and law enforcement for taking steps to protect Philadelphia’s Jewish community.
"Tomorrow’s Philly Bike On Your Left ‘boycott ride’ targeting Jewish-owned businesses is contemptible on any day, but especially on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht," Schneider said in a statement posted on Instagram.
Schneider said Americans could defend freedom of speech and religion while "resolutely standing against hate," adding: "Targeting businesses simply because they are owned by Jews and singling out Jewish Americans to make them feel unwelcome and unsafe is neither reasonable nor justifiable protest. It is rank antisemitism, plain and simple."
Parker has directed Philadelphia police to coordinate with community and partner agencies, with officers expected to take measures to protect businesses, residents, places of worship and demonstrators.
Reggie Jackson Joins Backlash
Baseball Hall of Famer and Philadelphia-area native Reggie Jackson has now added his voice to the criticism.
In a Saturday post on X, Jackson said it was "heartbreaking to see antisemitism in my hometown" and compared the controversy with racism and segregation he encountered during the 1960s. He called on leaders to speak clearly against antisemitism and hatred.
"What the hell? We have to speak up," Jackson wrote.
The Anti-Defamation League, meanwhile, has urged residents to eat at the restaurants targeted by the demonstration, describing the campaign as an effort to intimidate Philadelphia’s Jewish community.
"This protest is an attempt to intimidate a Jewish community that has faced generations of violence, exclusion and antisemitism," the organization said. "But we refuse to let hate win."
The demonstration remained scheduled to go ahead Sunday morning.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Ben Kelly and Trevor Davies
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