Pennsylvania leaders condemn a planned bicycle boycott targeting Jewish-owned restaurants in Philadelphia on Sunday, November 8

Gov. Josh Shapiro and Attorney General Dave Sunday. Photos: Governor Tom Wolf’s Office / Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons.

Pennsylvania and Philadelphia leaders are condemning a planned bicycle boycott targeting Jewish-owned and Israeli-associated restaurants around Rittenhouse Square, calling it antisemitic intimidation ahead of the anniversary of Kristallnacht.

The “Boycott Ride” is scheduled for Sunday, November 8. The main organizer, Philly Bike On Your Left, describes itself as an anti-Zionist cycling collective. Promotional material names restaurants including Dizengoff, Goldie, K’Far Cafe, Huda, Schlesinger’s and Mac Mart.

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office said the Pennsylvania State Police is working with local authorities to protect Philadelphia residents.

“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,” Shapiro spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky said.

Attorney General Dave Sunday called the event “deeply unsettling” and said it singles out Jewish Pennsylvanians for policies they have no ability to affect.

“By explicitly targeting businesses because their owners are Jewish, the organizers are engaging in a form of discrimination that falls back on some of the oldest antisemitic tropes and tactics in history,” Sunday said.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said peaceful protest is protected, but “singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city.” She said police would maintain safety and order and that threats, intimidation or unlawful conduct would bring accountability.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission also condemned the targeting, citing promotional messages including “no business for Zionists” and “these Zionist establishments must go.” Organizers have argued that criticism of the ride conflates Zionism with Judaism.

The ride falls on the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Nazi-organized violence of November 9-10, 1938, when Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues were attacked in Germany and Austria.

In a joint statement, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, ADL Philadelphia, American Jewish Committee Philadelphia/Southern NJ and StandWithUs urged residents to support the targeted businesses. “No business should be targeted because of the identity, heritage or perceived political beliefs of its owners,” they said.

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