Counterprotesters Confront Boycott Ride Targeting Jewish Businesses
A pro-Palestinian cycling group rode Sunday past six Jewish-owned restaurants in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square. Large crowds of counterprotesters and police met the riders.
- 14 billboards from the nonprofit JewBelong urged residents to boycott the ride.
- Six targets: Mac Mart, K'Far Café, Huda, Goldie, Schlesinger's and Dizengoff.
- About 75 riders turned out, the New York Post reported.
- 106 antisemitic incidents were recorded in Philadelphia in 2025, the ADL says.
Why it matters: The fight centers on whether boycotting businesses over their owners' views on Israel targets Jews. Gov. Josh Shapiro's office said the ride was designed to intimidate Jewish businesses.
- Mayor Cherelle Parker called singling out Jewish owners unacceptable.
- Mac Mart's co-owner says riders assumed her views from her Star of David necklace.
How 14 sources split on this story
Where they split: Officials and Jewish groups call the ride antisemitic, while organizers and Philadelphia DSA call it criticism of Israel.
Left coverage, 3 sources: The left focuses on the counterprotest and the official condemnations, while noting DSA's objection to conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism.
Right coverage, 7 sources: The right ties the ride to Kristallnacht and stresses the small turnout and the community rallying behind the owners.
What’s next: Parker directed police to protect businesses, residents, places of worship and demonstrators.
- Kristallnacht's 88th anniversary falls the day after the ride.
- Will similar boycotts of Jewish-owned businesses spread to other cities?
- Did the ride produce any arrests or lasting confrontations?
