Bike protest of Jewish businesses was indefensible, and it must be condemned
The Israeli government deserves to be criticized for the ghastly war it has waged in Gaza, but targeting Jewish restaurants on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht is not the way to do it.
There is an old saying about how it is better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
The same applies to Philly Bike on Your Left, a little-known activist group that organized a “boycott ride” that targeted six Jewish-owned restaurants near Rittenhouse Square to protest the businesses’ alleged support of Israel.
The misguided rally may go down as one of the most counterproductive protests ever.
Along with initially using inflammatory language to promote the event, the activist scheduled it on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, when Nazi leaders unleashed state-sponsored attacks on Jews across Germany and Austria in 1938 that were designed to look like an unplanned uprising. Businesses and synagogues were trashed and burned, and thousands of Jewish men were put in concentration camps.
No wonder the people behind Philly Bike on Your Left refused to identify themselves.
To be sure, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, deserves to be criticized and held responsible for the ghastly war he has waged in Gaza, killing more than 74,000 Palestinians — including many women and children — in response to the heinous attack by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, 2023, where 1,200 Jews were killed and 251 were taken hostage.
But protesting nearly 6,000 miles away outside Jewish fooderies in Philadelphia is no way to go about raising awareness or accountability for all that Netanyahu has wrought.
The good news is Philly wasn’t buying what the bike protesters were peddling.
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The 300 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were met by 200 counterprotesters and hundreds more who showed up to support the businesses. Many waited for an hour or more in long lines stretching down the block to patronize the targeted eateries.
Most city, state and federal elected officials denounced the bike protesters.
“Everyone has the right to peacefully protest and express their political views,” Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement. “But singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city.”
Gov. Josh Shapiro said, “In the midst of blatant antisemitic targeting of Jewish-owned restaurants on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the City of Brotherly Love showed up to support our neighborhood businesses and prove once again that hate has no place in our Commonwealth.”
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle said targeting Jewish-owned food eateries was wrong and that “this kind of hatred and discrimination has no place in our city.”
But the Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America called the trove of statements of politicians “bad-faith condemnations” — a sad response by the DSA that undermines its efforts to be taken seriously.
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The Inquirer Editorial Board reached out to incoming Philadelphia congressman Chris Rabb and state Sen. Nikil Saval, who are both members of the DSA, for a comment on the protest but neither official responded.
The bike group said in a social media post that the portrayal of the protest was “grossly misrepresented” and that they opposed any form of racism, including antisemitism. The group said they were boycotting the businesses because of their owners’ support for Israel. This is a stretch.
After the Oct. 7 attack, one of the businesses raised money for United Hatzalah, a nonprofit fully volunteer organization that provides emergency medical service organization.
The bike group provided no evidence to show the businesses support Israel’s war effort. The activists’ inference that there is something nefarious going on is unfounded and irresponsible — especially given the disturbing rise in antisemitism across the country.
But something good came out of the bike group’s misplaced actions.
Seeing business booming at the six food establishments of Mac Mart, K’Far Cafe, Huda, Goldie, Dizengoff, and Schlesinger’s Deli made for a just dessert.
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