A coalition of left-wing activist groups is planning a protest targeting Jewish-owned businesses in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, drawing sharp criticism for its timing—just one day before the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom that saw the destruction of Jewish businesses across Germany.
Protest Details and Backlash
The demonstration, organized by groups including Bike On Your Left, Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza, and Boycott CookNSolo, calls for a boycott of what they label as “Zionist” businesses—a term critics argue is being used to single out Jewish proprietors. In an Instagram post, Bike On Your Left urged participants to “show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are.”
Marti Lieberman, one of the targeted business owners, told the New York Post she was shocked to be included. “You can’t get a break, and now I have to worry about being born Jewish,” she said, noting that protesters may have assumed her political stance based on her Star of David necklace. “These people think I’m [Benjamin] Netanyahu. I literally am just a Jewish girl from the suburbs who started a business.”
Historical Echoes and Outrage
The protest’s timing—on the eve of Kristallnacht’s anniversary—has drawn comparisons to Nazi-era persecution. Yehuda Sichel, a Jewish business owner and grandson of Holocaust survivors, called the boycott “deeply unsettling,” adding, “They said on their own flyer they want to push Zionists out of their city.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker condemned the protest, stating, “Singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city.” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday echoed the sentiment, calling the action a revival of “some of the oldest antisemitic tropes and tactics in history.”
Broader Implications
The incident has reignited debates over the line between anti-Zionism and antisemitism in pro-Palestinian activism. While organizers frame the protest as opposition to Israeli policies, critics argue it crosses into overt discrimination against Jewish individuals unaffiliated with the Israeli government.
As tensions rise, local officials have vowed to monitor the protest for any unlawful conduct, with Mayor Parker warning, “Anyone who engages in threats, intimidation, or unlawful conduct will be held accountable.”
Source: www.thegatewaypundit.com — https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2026/11/pro-palestine-protesters-show-true-colors-targeting-jewish/