Philadelphia Boycott Ride Targets Six Eateries Sunday

Philly Bike On Your Left planned a bicycle boycott ride targeting six Philadelphia eateries on Sunday, November 8, prompting criticism from public officials and Jewish organizations. The event had not taken place in reports published before the planned ride.

A flyer advertised a meeting at Rittenhouse Square at 11:30 a.m., with participants scheduled to depart at noon. It named KFar Cafe, Huda, Mac Mart, Goldie, Dizengoff and Schlesingers. The ride was planned for the day before the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Nazi-organized attacks on Jewish people and businesses in Germany and Austria in November 1938.

The organizers’ stated rationale is disputed. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday said the ride singles out Pennsylvanians because of their Jewish identity and is not simply a protest of Israeli policy. Philly Bike On Your Left said it targets business owners for their support of Israel, not for being Jewish, and said critics were conflating Zionism with Judaism.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said people have the right to protest peacefully but that singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable. She said police were preparing for...