Cycle rally targeting Jewish businesses draws hundreds of counter-protesters

A cycle "boycott ride" targeting several Jewish-owned businesses in Philadelphia on Sunday drew hundreds of counter-protesters and a heavy police presence. Many state and local leaders had condemned the event.

The rally was organised by a group called Philly Bike On Your Left, which describes itself as "anti-Zionist". The group's reason for the action was that the businesses had expressed support for Israel, it said.

In the Rittenhouse Square area where the rally took place, counter-protesters carrying Israeli flags displayed placards condemning antisemitism. Some verbal altercations broke out between the two sides.

Notably, the rally took place ahead of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the historic Nazi attack on Jewish places of refuge. Mayor Cherelle Parker condemned the event, saying isolating Jewish businesses was unacceptable and had no place in the city. The office of Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro called it an attempt to intimidate and drive out Jewish businesses.

Antisemitic incidents in the US have risen since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, officials say. In Philadelphia alone, 106 such incidents were recorded in 2025, a Jewish organisation said.

The group has rejected the criticism against it, reiterating that support for Israel, not argument, was the reason for the boycott.