Philadelphia’s planned “anti-Zionist” bike boycott produced a very different scene from the one its organizers wanted. Crowds of supporters appeared to far exceed the masked boycotters on bikes waving Palestinian flags, turning a campaign against restaurants into a public show of support for them. Apparently, the boycott forgot to account for customers who dislike being told where they can eat.
In the run-up, organizers demanded that the businesses they targeted “must go,” shouted “no business for zionists,” and said they would “show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are.” The ride was scheduled on the eve of Kristallnacht, the nationwide attack on Jewish citizens and businesses in Nazi Germany 88 years earlier. That timing was, to put it politely, a spectacular failure of judgment.
Restaurant owners refused to be intimidated. Yehuda Sichel, who owns Huda on 19th Street, offered a blunt response: “We should not be allowing in our city for businesses, public businesses to be harassed and terrorized by people who may not agree with you,” Sichel said. Marti Lieberman, owner of Mac Mart at 18th and Arch, told supporters, “Catch us this Sunday, we will be open,” Lieberman said. Her staff of two was preparing for crowds of supporters. The boycotters wanted a closed door; the restaurants got customers instead.
Videos captured the clash of competing demonstrations. One counter-protester appeared to ride among the activists while wearing an “Israel” shirt, a bit of street-level trolling that did not exactly cool things down. Another post described clashes, a bleeding man, and an arrest as pro-Palestine cyclists gathered at Rittenhouse Square. The posts carried warnings about graphic language and gestures.
One video showed the “Boycott Bikeride” being confronted by Israel supporters as the cyclists passed.
A second video described the confrontation and reported clashes, a bleeding man, and an arrest near Rittenhouse Square.
The mayor, governor, and others spoke out against the event. Reggie “Mr. October” Jackson also weighed in, writing, “It is heartbreaking to see antisemitism in my hometown.” He said he was angry and ashamed to see hatred tolerated, asked Philadelphia leaders where their clear condemnations were, and urged leaders to speak plainly and consistently: “antisemitism and hate have no place in our communities.” Jackson also connected the moment to the racism he experienced in the 1960s while rejecting hatred directed at any group.
Jackson’s post cited Anti-Defamation League figures showing 465 antisemitic incidents across Pennsylvania in 2024, an 18% increase from 2023, including 189 in Philadelphia and 51 in Montgomery County. The figures include harassment, vandalism, and assault, but are not all classified as crimes. He also cited a 2025 survey in which 79% of Jewish Americans said they were concerned about antisemitism, 52% said they had worried about their personal safety because of their identity, and nearly half said they had taken steps to increase security. A research review cited in the post linked exposure to hate with worse psychological well-being, more negative stereotypes, and less trust between groups.
Then came the most damaging rebuttal to the boycott: people showed up to eat. Restaurants were inundated with supporters, and long lines formed at establishments being targeted.
The campaign may have been presented as a pressure tactic, but the immediate result was a visible counter-response and a very public backfire. That is what happens when activists mistake intimidation for persuasion. You can wave flags and shout slogans, but customers still get to decide where they spend their money.
Source: RedState
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