Philly DSA decries backlash over boycott targeting Jewish eateries
Philadelphia Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) released a statement Sunday condemning the backlash against a recent boycott ride targeting pro-Israel and Jewish local restaurant owners, calling it an act of "political repression of anti-Zionism."Last week, the organizations Philly Bike On Your Left, Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza, Boycott CookNSolo and Philly Solidarity Calendar shared a flier promoting the bicycle boycott event, targeting at least six restaurants by name in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square.The event received widespread condemnation from city and state leadership, particularly after it was scheduled on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against Jews in Germany and Austria marked by widespread anti-Jewish violence.PHILADELPHIA 'BOYCOTT RIDE' TARGETING JEWISH BUSINESSES DRAWS CONDEMNATION FROM CITY, STATE LEADERSHIPPro-Palestinian bike riders attempted to boycott Jewish and pro-Israel businesses on Sunday.(WTXF)On the day of the boycott, Philly DSA attacked elected officials' statements, calling them "bad-faith" and "dangerous" for accusing critics of antisemitism."From the Senator [John] Fetterman and Congressman [Brendan] Boyle to Governor [Josh] Shapiro, Mayor [Cherelle] Parker, and Council President [Kenyatta] Johnson, politicians have joined a chorus of bad-faith and dangerous conflation of antisemitism with anti-Zionism and invoking comparisons to the Kristallnacht that trivialize trauma and suppress political speech," the group said in a statement.
"These condemnations were not good-faith conversations about tactics."Philly DSA clarified in its statement that it did not organize or endorse the boycott but accused city and state leaders of attempting "to delegitimize and chill acts of solidarity in the fight for Palestinian liberation" through "an unacceptable use of political power." The group also claimed that elected officials were likely pressured into their statements by "Zionist" organizations....