Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) condemned a pro-Palestinian protest outside a Jewish restaurant in Philadelphia on Sunday as a "blatant act of antisemitism" as tensions continue to rise over the war between Israel and Hamas.
Demonstrators gathered outside of Goldie, a Jewish and Israeli-owned falafel restaurant, waving Palestinian flags and chanting, "Goldie, Goldie, you can't hide. We charge you with genocide." The protesters called for the end of Israel and to "free Gaza." People later placed stickers that read "Free Palestine" on the restaurant.
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"Tonight in Philly, we saw a blatant act of antisemitism — not a peaceful protest," Shapiro said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "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."
I’ve communicated tonight with @Mike_Solomonov and his team at Goldie to share our support and Lori and I look forward to breaking bread there with them again soon.
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) December 4, 2023
In a Facebook post, the Philadelphia Free Palestine Coalition urged supporters to "flood the streets" as part of a march through Rittenhouse Square, University City, and the University of Pennsylvania campus. The protesters later stopped at Goldie, which is owned by Israeli chef Mike Solomonov.
Solomonov owns multiple restaurants in the city under the banner CookNSolo, including Zahav, K'Far Cafe, and Laser Wolf, according to the websites. Following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, Solomonov said he would donate 100% of all sales to Friends of United Hatzalah, a nonprofit emergency medical service, per CBS Philadelphia.
"I've communicated tonight with [Mike Solomonov] and his team at Goldie to share our support, and Lori and I look forward to breaking bread there with them again soon," Shapiro said.
CBS Philadelphia reported that the "Free Palestine" stickers were removed from the restaurant's doors as of Monday morning.
Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) also condemned the protest on X.
"I can't believe I even have to say this but targeting businesses simply because they're Jewish owned is despicable," Boyle said. "Philadelphia stands against this sort of harassment and hate."
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. https://t.co/BfJ2Xxuysi
— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) December 4, 2023
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The protest is the latest in a string of displays from pro-Palestinian activists calling for a ceasefire in the war between Hamas and Israel that have been condemned by Democratic leaders. On Nov. 15, a protest in front of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., turned violent, leading to numerous injuries and one arrest by Capitol Police.
DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairwoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) all released statements condemning the violent November DNC protest.