The Philadelphia police attempt to separate the small group of boycott bike riders from the pro-Israel counterprotesters at Rittehouse Square on Nov. 8, 2026. A “boycott bike ride” against pro-Israeli businesses was met with hostility and arrests were made on both sides. Photo: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Hundreds of people gathered on Sunday to support Jewish and Israeli-owned restaurants in Philadelphia’s Center City that were being targeted by a “boycott ride” bicycle protest because of their support for Israel.

Large crowds of pro-Israel supporters waved Israeli flags, held signs condemning antisemitism, and waited on long lines to buy from the six pro-Israel restaurants in Rittenhouse Square, including Goldie, K’far Café, and Dizengoff. Some of them had verbal confrontations with the anti-Israel cyclists, and because of the massive crowds blocking their path, some bikers were forced to hold their bikes instead of riding them, as seen in footage shared on social media.

The Philadelphia Police Department said three people were arrested at the demonstration on Sunday, and no property damage was reported, according to CNN.

The goal of the “Boycott Ride” was to push pro-Zionist restaurants out of town and organizers held the bicycle protest on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the infamous Nazi pogrom. A flyer for the bike protest said, “No business for Zionists! These Zionist establishments must go! Not in our city!”

Many of the cyclists tried to conceal their identity with masks, helmets, and sunglasses, and several of them waved Palestinian flags and wore keffiyehs. The protest was organized by the self-proclaimed “anti-fascist, anti-Zionist” social cycling group Philly Bike On Your Left.

“Ride around Rittenhouse with us as we show these zionist [sic] business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans they are,” the group wrote on Instagram when promoting the protest.

Ahead of Sunday’s protest, the nonprofit organization JewBelong put up billboards across Philadelphia that urged locals to “boycott the boycott ride” of Jewish-owned businesses and show up to support the establishments.

“Running over Jewish businesses isn’t a peace plan,” the billboards said.

The “Boycott Ride” was condemned by city and state leaders, Jewish groups, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. The museum said in a social media post that “antisemites chose that anniversary [of Kristallnacht] to terrorize Philadelphia’s Jewish community” and that “this blatant act of Jew hatred needs to be universally condemned, and we applaud the many who have.”

Baseball legend and Pennsylvania native Reggie Jackson also denounced the bicycle protest in a post on X, while comparing their actions to racism he experienced in the 1960s.

“It is heartbreaking to see antisemitism in my hometown,” he wrote. “I wish I could be there to stand with those protesting HATE. I am asking elected officials and other leaders in Philadelphia: Where are the clear statements condemning antisemitism? When hateful language is excused or repeated, it can make hostility seem acceptable and deepen fear and division. Leaders should speak plainly and consistently: antisemitism and hate have no place in our communities. What the hell? We have to speak up.”

In a social media post, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro thanked Philadelphia Police and Pennsylvania State Police for ensuring everyone’s safety on Sunday during the “blatant antisemitic targeting of Jewish-owned restaurants.”

“The City of Brotherly Love showed up to support our neighborhood businesses and prove once again that hate has no place in our Commonwealth,” he added.

Philly Bike On Your Left claimed in a lengthy statement on Saturday that their bicycle protest has been “grossly misrepresented.”

“We stand firmly against racism and oppression of all forms, including fascism, antisemitism, islamophobia and colonialism,” the group said in part. Organizers also responded to criticism about the protest falling on the anniversary of Kristallnacht, saying that it was planned around people’s schedules and “any suggestions about the timing of our ride are simply false.”