They aren’t going to let this slide.
Protesters gathered outside a Jewish-owned establishment in Philadelphia, demanding a lasting ceasefire following terrorist attacks on Oct. 7. Using bullhorns, they accused the shop owner of involvement in genocide. Video footage shared on X captured demonstrators chanting, “Goldie, Goldie, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” outside the Goldie Falafel restaurant.
Organized by the Philly Palestine Coalition, the Sunday demonstration drew condemnation from both the Biden administration and Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. They strongly criticized the antisemitic nature of the protest. Activists congregated at the Goldie falafel shop on Sansom Street, rallying for a broader protest advocating a ceasefire and the termination of U.S. military support for Israel.
In a Monday statement, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates decried the targeting of Jewish-owned businesses over policy disputes, branding it as unjustifiably antisemitic. Bates highlighted President Biden’s unwavering stance against such actions, citing Biden’s persistent fight against antisemitism, which included launching the nation’s inaugural strategy to counter this hatred in American history.
Governor Shapiro echoed these sentiments, condemning the demonstration as a “blatant act of antisemitism” and refuting claims of its peaceful intentions. Sharing a video on social media, Shapiro showcased protestors outside the establishment waving Palestinian flags, while a protester, using a bullhorn, led the antisemitic chant.
In a written statement, Shapiro underscored the alarming nature of singling out and intimidating a restaurant based solely on its owner’s Jewish and Israeli identity, likening such prejudice to a dark historical chapter.