A planned boycott of several restaurants in Philadelphia, owned by Jewish individuals, is facing accusations of antisemitism. The protest, organized by the group On Your Left, targets establishments in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Critics point to the boycott's timing, which coincides closely with the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, a pogrom against Jews in Nazi Germany, as particularly egregious.
The organizers have stated that "Zionist establishments must go! Not in our city!" and that these eateries must "die," along with the "political ideology of Zionism." The New York Post reports that of the four restaurant owners specifically called out, three are American Jews and one is Israeli-American. For the boycotters, the article claims, simply being Jewish is sufficient reason for them to be targeted.
One of the targeted restaurant owners, Marti Lieberman, who runs a mac'n'cheese eatery, stated her business has no connection to Jews, Israel, or Zionism, other than her occasional wearing of a Star of David necklace. The Philadelphia Palestine Coalition has also been mentioned in relation to the boycott.
Organizers reportedly acknowledged awareness of the Kristallnacht anniversary but downplayed its significance, stating their event was scheduled for the day before. The New York Post argues that by equating all Jewish individuals with Zionism and targeting them for business closure, the protestors demonstrate an antisemitic agenda, drawing parallels to historical persecution of Jewish people. The article characterizes the protest's rhetoric and timing as eerily reminiscent of Nazi actions, suggesting a thinly veiled antisemitism underlying the boycott's stated aims.