Anti-Semitic Protesters Target Jewish-Owned Business in Philadelphia

Hundreds of protesters marched through Center City and University City in Philadelphia to show their support for Gaza and demanding a permanent cease-fire, this weekend.

During the demonstration protesters targeted Jewish-owned businesses, including the Israeli-style falafel shop, Goldie. The incident has raised concerns about the rise of antisemitism and the need to address its harmful consequences – around the country.

Protesters specifically singled out Goldie, a popular falafel shop in Center City that is co-owned by Israeli-born Michael Solomonov. This is not the first time businesses affiliated with Solomonov's CookNSolo group have faced scrutiny.

Last month, protesters also targeted CookNSolo's Laser Wolf in Fishtown, and in October, the Philly Palestine Coalition called for a boycott of several Philadelphia restaurants, including CookNSolo's.

Such actions demonstrate a disturbing trend of targeting Jewish-owned establishments solely based on the owner's Jewish and Israeli identity.

Antisemitism on the streets of America. Sunday night a Jewish owned restaurant in Philadelphia was targeted by pro-Hamas protesters chanting:

“Goldie, Goldie you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide”

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro swiftly responded to a video showing protesters chanting in front of Goldie, denouncing the incident as a "blatant act of antisemitism."

Governor Shapiro called the targeted stop at the business a clear case of harassment rather than a peaceful protest. U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle also spoke out against the protesters, highlighting that targeting businesses based on their Jewish ownership is despicable and goes against the values of Philadelphia.

While a few weekend shoppers appeared to show support for the message of the protesters, others were less receptive. One driver reportedly even resorted to throwing a plastic bottle at the demonstrators due to the traffic disruption caused by the protest.