Four Philadelphia student and faculty groups backed a controversial boycott ride aimed at expelling targeted Jewish-owned businesses in the city, according to a Saturday solidarity statement.
Penn Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, Philadelphia Students for Justice in Palestine Coalition, Temple Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, and Temple Law Students for Justice in Palestine (LSJP) were four of several activist groups signed onto a solidarity statement for Philly Bike on Your Left’s November 8 Great Ride of Return event.
According to the Temple Law Student Bar Association website, LSJP has an active chapter at Temple University Law School.
“We stand with the organizers of the Boycott Ride, a small group of bicyclists against genocide who have been doxxed and villainized by social media Zionists and self-serving politicians. As this Boycott Ride shows, Philadelphians increasingly reject normalization of the genocidal state and are moved to turn their principles into action,” read the statement. “Zionism is a failed ideology no matter how hard those in power deny it.”
Philly Bike on Your Left and other organizations sought to intimidate the businesses’ supposed ties to Israel, including fundraisers for those impacted by the October 7 Massacre and for advancing Israeli cuisine.
“No business for Zionists! These Zionist establishments must go! Not in our city,” read an October 30 Instagram post. “Ride around Rittenhouse with us as we show these Zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are.”
In response to backlash against the event, which noted that the boycott ride fell on the Kristallnacht anniversary eve and that Jewish businesses were being targeted for tangential or superfluous connections to Israel, the organizers insisted that their protest had been “grossly misrepresented.”
The group argued in a November 7 Instagram statement that they had planned the ride around their activists’ availability, and that boycotts were legitimate tools.
“The reason we are calling for a boycott of these businesses is because of their support for Israel,” said the group.
The backlash to the event saw counter-protesters rally in significant numbers, patronizing the businesses and restaurants in defiance of the boycott. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia praised the community’s actions as a celebration of Jewish life.
“Today was a beautiful reminder of the strength, resilience and solidarity of our community. To everyone who filled tables, shared meals, supported Jewish-owned businesses and showed up with love and pride: Thank you,” said the Jewish community group. “To the restaurant owners and staff who welcomed our community with open arms, we stand with you.”
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© Divuach Ne’eman R”A, 2025
