Tensions erupted in a Philadelphia neighborhood Sunday after a bike ride organized to boycott several Jewish-owned restaurants triggered strong opposition from the city’s Jewish and pro-Israel communities.
The “boycott ride,” organized by the pro-Palestinian group Philly Bike On Your Left, targeted at least six restaurants around Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square. Organizers labeled the businesses “Zionist establishments” and called on them to leave the area.
As cyclists carrying Palestinian flags moved through the streets, hundreds of Jewish and pro-Israel community members gathered to challenge the demonstration. Heated exchanges took place over several blocks, while dozens of diners formed lines outside the targeted restaurants to show support for the Jewish-owned businesses.
The event also faced criticism because it was held on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against Jews in Germany and Austria. The violence included attacks on Jewish homes, synagogues and businesses.
A pro-Palestinian demonstrator walks beside cyclists during a boycott ride in Philadelphia. (WTXF)
Philadelphia police told Fox News that at least three people were arrested in connection with the protest. Those arrested included a woman accused of assault, a man accused of disorderly conduct and a 17-year-old male accused of assaulting police.
A female counterprotester also told authorities that she had been assaulted by an unidentified person.
According to the outlet, two officers suffered minor injuries while arresting one person. Neither officer required medical treatment.
Police reported no property damage and said the area had returned to normal by late afternoon.
Authorities estimated that about 500 people took part. The crowd included roughly 300 pro-Palestinian demonstrators, about 200 of whom were riding bicycles, along with approximately 200 pro-Israel counterprotesters.
Videos posted to social media showed demonstrators and counterprotesters yelling at one another.
One video showed a restaurant displaying a Palestinian flag beside a sign on its entrance that read, “No public restroom.”
In the footage, a man confronted the restaurant and accused it of signaling that members of the Jewish community were not welcome.
Hundreds of people crowd Philadelphia streets during a protest targeting Jewish-owned restaurants. (WTXF)
Organized in late October, the protest targeted six businesses whose owners were accused by organizers of being “Zionist business owners.”
“We see them for the disgusting humans they are,” the group said.
The group also said, “There are business owners in our community who have raised funds for the Israeli military, hosted Israeli soldiers, were praised by Benjamin Netanyahu, or expressed support for Israel.”
In response, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia called for a counter-demonstration in early November.
A counterprotester holding an Israeli flag yells at cyclists during the Philadelphia boycott ride. (WTXF)
“This is antisemitism. It is Jew-hatred, plain and simple,” the organization said.
“The ride falls on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, when Nazi-organized mobs destroyed thousands of Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues in Germany and Austria, while thousands of Jews were beaten, assaulted and sent to concentration camps. The public targeting of Jewish businesses should alarm every person of conscience. We cannot allow such hatred to become normalized in Philadelphia.”
Organizers rejected the criticism, saying the ride had been “grossly misrepresented” and describing Philly Bike On Your Left as a nonviolent social cycling group.