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Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) released a statement Sunday condemning the backlash against a recent boycott ride targeting pro-Israel and Jewish local restaurant owners, calling it an act of “political repression of anti-Zionism.”
Last week, 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, targeting at least six restaurants by name in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square.
The event received widespread condemnation from city and state leadership, particularly after it was scheduled on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against Jews in Germany and Austria marked by widespread anti-Jewish violence.
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Pro-Palestinian bike riders attempted to boycott Jewish and pro-Israel businesses on Sunday. (WTXF)
On the day of the boycott, Philly DSA attacked elected officials’ statements, calling them “bad-faith” and “dangerous” for accusing critics of antisemitism.
“From the Senator [John] Fetterman and Congressman [Brendan] Boyle to Governor [Josh] Shapiro, Mayor [Cherelle] Parker, and Council President [Kenyatta] Johnson, politicians have joined a chorus of bad-faith and dangerous conflation of antisemitism with anti-Zionism and invoking comparisons to the Kristallnacht that trivialize trauma and suppress political speech,” the group said in a statement. “These condemnations were not good-faith conversations about tactics.”
Philly DSA clarified in its statement that it did not organize or endorse the boycott but accused city and state leaders of attempting “to delegitimize and chill acts of solidarity in the fight for Palestinian liberation” through “an unacceptable use of political power.” The group also claimed that elected officials were likely pressured into their statements by “Zionist” organizations.
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“We know that organized Zionist lobbying groups actively and intensely pressure elected officials, including our own elected socialists, to issue these condemnations, manufacturing political controversy that shifts attention away from Israel’s actions and toward those organizing in solidarity with Palestine,” the statement read.
Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America condemned the backlash from city and state leadership, though it emphasized that it did not endorse the boycott. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images North America)
Philly DSA emphasized that it was not antisemitic and rejected the framing of protests like the boycott as such.
“Jewish businesses and shops belong in Philadelphia: challenges to the violence of Zionist ideology do not dull this commitment to Jewish safety and belonging. DSA stands up and fights back against antisemitism, as we do for the dignity of all working people,” the statement read.
In a comment to Digital, Philly DSA stood by its original statement. Parker’s and Johnson’s offices also stood by their original statements condemning the boycott.
Shapiro spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky referred to a previous statement released by the governor’s office on the boycott.
“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 well-being of our neighbors in Philadelphia, Lapowsky said last week. “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.”
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Digital also reached out to Fetterman’s and Boyle’s offices for comment.
On Sunday, hundreds of Jewish and pro-Israel community members turned out to oppose the demonstration, with heated exchanges unfolding across several city blocks. Dozens of diners also lined up outside the targeted restaurants in a show of solidarity with the Jewish-owned businesses.
The boycott faced overwhelming opposition in the form of counterprotests supporting the businesses. (Jumping Rocks/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Several Jewish and pro-Israel organizations, including the Israeli-American Council (IAC), also spoke out in defense of the targeted restaurants and encouraged others to do the same.
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“When we heard about a ride taking place on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, we could not help but think about history and tell ourselves: we will not let this happen again. Today, we stand together, and we will not let anyone threaten our community,” the IAC said in a statement to Digital. “This ride does not target a government or a policy. Its stated goal is to drive businesses owned by Zionists out of the city, as if being a Zionist were criminal or illegitimate. It targets six businesses whose owners are Jewish. When people publish a list of Jewish businesses and organize to drive them out of a city, we know from history what that is.”
‘ Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
