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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The flier included the names of Philadelphia businesses, including Dizengoff, Huda, Schlesingers 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 , a Nazi-organized attack on Jewish homes, synagogues and businesses in Germany and Austria.
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In a statement to , 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. 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
