Letters to the Editor | Nov. 12, 2026
Inquirer readers on the boycott of Jewish-owned businesses.
Targeted boycott
I was very disappointed to see The Inquirer’s one-sided reporting on the recent boycott bike ride against the Israeli genocide. While antisemitism is a genuine social plague, conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism was disingenuous.
The boycott was clearly meant to bring attention to vocal Zionist business owners, not all Jewish businesses. (Not all Jews are Zionist!) Israeli Zionists are specifically criticized because they believe Palestine belongs to the Jewish homeland, which they use to justify the annexation and killing of their Arab neighbors.
Many Philadelphians are rightfully outraged and feel powerless to stop such far-away tragedies, but one of the few tangible ways we can show global solidarity is through voting and boycotting.
I joined the boycott for the same reason I boycott the MAGA-owned Angelo’s Pizzeria: because I believe businesses that do not reflect my values do not deserve my money.
To be clear, Jewish folk belong in Philadelphia. We should not place the burden on Jewish businesses to openly condemn Israel more than we would other faiths, but any business that chooses to publicly support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s genocidal administration deserves a boycott.
Jon Shanfelder, Philadelphia
. . .
Those who oppose Israel’s mass slaughters, ethnic cleansing, and expansion recognize that Israel will only curtail its crimes against humanity if the United States stops providing aid. Thus, we must focus all our efforts on pressuring the newly elected Congress to pass legislation to achieve that goal.
In contrast, publicly targeting Jewish businesses through tactics like the “Boycott Ride” is counterproductive, smacking of Nazism and feeding into the false narrative that our stance is antisemitic.
Carol Stein, Philadelphia
. . .
The boycott of Jewish-owned restaurants in Philadelphia on Sunday should concern anyone who believes in religious freedom and fairness.
While people have every right to criticize foreign governments, targeting neighborhood businesses because their owners are Jewish crosses the line into identity-based discrimination. Small-business owners should not have to defend government policies simply because of their heritage.
As an Ahmadi Muslim, my faith teaches, “Love for all, hatred for none.” Growing up in Pakistan, I witnessed firsthand how destructive cycles of boycotts and division harm ordinary, innocent people. Human rights do not come with religious exceptions. Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of bigotry deserve the same firm rejection.
A Jewish American is no more responsible for a foreign government’s actions than a Muslim American is for distant political regimes. We can stand with Palestinians and demand accountability without intimidating ordinary people trying to earn a living. Peace will never be achieved by deciding which community deserves to feel welcome in our neighborhoods.
Justice must be universal, or it is not justice at all.
Farid Ahmad, Easton
About letters to the editor
Letters feature a reader’s written opinion and are submitted in response to an article in The Inquirer or another topical issue. Submissions should be sent to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include the writer’s home address and day and evening phone number. Letters are published in the Inquirer six days a week on the print opinion pages and online.
