Driving the news: The boycott campaign appears to be organized by activist group Philly Bike on Your Left and targets restaurants that include those under the CookNSolo brand — like Goldie and K’Far, which are co-owned by Israeli-American chef and restaurateur Michael Solomonov.
- The event aims to show solidarity with the Palestinian community.
- The group did not respond to requests for comment.
Point of friction: The small, little-known group behind the ride suddenly caught the attention of Mayor Cherelle Parker and Gov. Josh Shapiro.
- The Anti-Defamation League, in a statement condemning the event and calling on leaders to do the same, noted that the event falls on the eve of the “Night of Broken Glass,” or Kristallnacht.
Zoom: Mayor Cherelle Paker said that while “everyone has the right to peacefully protest and express their political opinions,” police will maintain order and security throughout the protest.
More: Shapiro spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky told Axios that “the bike ride, disguised as a protest to advance the cause of justice, is nothing more than blatant anti-Semitism intended to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities.”
In the meantime, several activists and pro-Jewish groups have criticized the planned boycott as anti-Semitism.
- “No business should be targeted because of the identity, heritage, or perceived political beliefs of its owners,” the ADL said in its statement.
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