PHILADELPHIA — Protests of Jewish-owned businesses in Philadelphia by dozens of masked bikers on the eve of the Kristallnacht anniversary were drowned out by a massive crowd of heckling counter-protesters on Sunday.
The boycott, which targeted restaurants run by Jewish Americans in Philly’s ritzy Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, came face-to-face with a large counterprotest aimed at supporting the businesses.
However, the protest was forced to shut down early, with organizers claiming “safety concerns.”
Lines at the Jewish-owned businesses stretched out the door as supporters publicly come out to back them.
Social media posts for the protest demanded that the businesses leave the city.
“Show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are,” one post said.
Despite the claim that the protest was “anti-Zionist,” one business owner said her mac and cheese shop had nothing to do with Israel, and believes she was targeted because she wears a Star of David.
The protest Sunday came on the eve of the anniversary for the 1938 Nazi night of terror in Germany and Austria, where Jewish-owned businesses and neighborhoods were sacked. At least 91 Jews were m𝑢rdєred and others rounded up for concentration camps.
Philly Bike On Your Left, which organized the boycott, claims the event has been “grossly misrepresented.”
Matt Sheldon, 52, said he came out from New York to show Philly’s Jewish community that they are not alone, as he mocked the small turnout of about 75 boycotters.
“It’s the biggest bust of a boycott there is,” Sheldon told The Post, adding that lines to support the restaurants are through the door.
“They made these Jewish restaurants rock stars.”
Throughout Rittenhouse, supporters of the businesses shouted at the boycotters, many of whom were masked, as they biked through the area, yelling “This is America, not Nazi, Germany, coward.”
“Go live in Gaza,” others yelled.
Outside the Israeli restaurant Dizengoff, counter protesters also waved Israeli flags as they flipped off bikers and shouted, “Shame on you!”
One boycotter on a megaphone tried to tie the restaurants to the war in Gaza and the alleged war crimes of the Israeli military.
“They support 22,000 children being unalived!” the boycotter shouted. “They’re demons!”
Police were seen arresting at least one masked boycotter at the scene.
Both the Pennsylvania Attorney’s General’s Office and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker condemned the boycott as an antisemitic act that has no place in the city.
The big turnout in support of the businesses came after the Anti-Defamation League made a call for people to patronize the targeted restaurants during Sunday’s boycott.
“This protest is an attempt to intimidate a Jewish community that has faced generations of violence, exclusion and antisemitism,” the ADL said in a statement. “It’s the latest in a string of incidents that hold Jewish businesses responsible for events in the Middle East.”
“That’s antisemitic, plain and simple. But we refuse to let hate win,” the ADL added.
