Bike-ride boycott of six Jewish-owned Center City restaurants draws counter-protest, three arrests

Hundreds of people packed six Jewish-owned restaurants near Rittenhouse Square on Sunday in response to a cycling protest that targeted the businesses. Police reported three arrests during the event, according to 6abc and NBC10.

Philly Bike On Your Left organized the ride. NBC10 reported that the group calls itself an anti-fascist and anti-Zionist cycling collective. Its social media flyer branded the restaurants "Zionist establishments." According to the Inquirer and NBC10, the six are Schlesinger's Deli, Dizengoff, Goldie, Huda, K'Far Cafe and Mac Mart. Organizers said they were standing with Palestinians and took issue with the owners' backing of Israel.

A police spokesperson gave NBC10 a crowd estimate of roughly 500. That figure included around 300 demonstrators supporting Palestinians, with 200 riding bikes, along with about 200 people supporting Israel. The Inquirer, basing its assessment on the flags it saw, said the counter-protesters seemed to outnumber the riders.

Outlets described the tension differently. FOX 29 called the day mostly peaceful and said that by Sunday afternoon it knew of no fights or arrests. NBC10 said its crew saw at least one physical altercation and that two officers had minor injuries while detaining one person. 6abc reported clashes, among them one at 18th and Walnut streets. Officers worked to separate the sides, and NBC10 said no property was damaged.

Customers waited in long lines at several targeted eateries. Yehuda Sichel, who owns Huda, told the Inquirer he thinks he was named because he raised money for Israeli children hurt after the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023. The Inquirer reported that Goldie, Dizengoff and K'Far are part of CookNSolo, chef Michael Solomonov's company, which faced earlier criticism over fundraising for an Israeli emergency medical group.

"The only way to push back at hate is to show love," Michael Balaban of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia told 6abc.

The Anti-Defamation League, B'nai B'rith International and other critics noted that the protest came one day before the date marking Kristallnacht, a Nazi pogrom in 1938. In a statement on Instagram, organizers said their ride had been mischaracterized, that the date was a coincidence and that they reject antisemitism. They told the Inquirer that members have gotten death threats.

Outlets reported that Gov. Josh Shapiro said the ride aimed to intimidate Jewish businesses. Condemnations also came from Mayor Cherelle Parker, state Attorney General Dave Sunday, Sen. Fetterman and Rep. Boyle, a Philadelphia Democrat. "Singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable," Parker said, according to the Inquirer.

A second ride is planned, organizers said. 6abc reported it would take place next Sunday, while FOX 29 said the group promoted a "ride of return" for Nov. 15.

Compiled by True News from reporting by FOX 29 Philadelphia, 6abc Action News, The Philadelphia Inquirer and NBC10 Philadelphia. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/882