‘Classic Antisemitic Thuggery’: Top Democrats Slam Pro-Palestinian Protesters Targeting Jewish Business
A pro-Palestinian protest on Sunday in Philadelphia’s Center City drew swift and decisive condemnation from top Democrats on Monday, including from the White House.
Local media reported that the protesters chanted “Free Gaza” and called “for the end of Israel” while marching through downtown, eventually targeting a well-known Jewish, Israeli restaurant named “Goldie.”
CBS News reported that the crowd outside the restaurant, owned by renowned Israeli chef Michael Solomonov, chanted “antisemitic remarks” and defaced the property with “Free Palestine” stickers.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) slammed the protesters’ actions in a statement, “We saw a blatant act of antisemitism, not a peaceful protest. A restaurant was targeted and mobbed because its owner is Jewish and Israeli. This hate and bigotry is reminiscent of a dark time in history.”
Top House Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) also condemned the protest, saying, “This hateful targeting of Jewish businesses is classic antisemitic thuggery. The owner is a known supporter of peace between the Israelis & Palestinians. Find your voice and separate yourself from the ugliness. Stand up and condemn this vileness that’s spreading like a cancer.”
In mid-October Solomonov donated his restaurants’ profits to those injured in Israel as a result of the war.
The White House also blasted the protestors, saying, “It is Antisemitic and completely unjustifiable to target restaurants that serve Israeli food over disagreements with Israeli policy, as Governor Shapiro has underlined. This behavior reveals the kind of cruel and senseless double standard that is a calling card of Antisemitism.”
“President Biden has fought against the evil of Antisemitism his entire life, including by launching the first national strategy to counter this hate in American history. He will always stand up firmly against these kinds of undignified actions,” added Deputy White House Press Secretary Andrew Bates in a statement.
“I can’t believe I even have to say this but targeting businesses simply because they’re Jewish owned is despicable. Philadelphia stands against this sort of harassment and hate,” wrote Rep. Brandon Boyle (D-PA) on Twitter in response.
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