AHRC Statement on the Kristalnacht Palestinian Boycott Ride of Jewish Businesses
NOV 05, 2025 AHRC The African Human Rights Coalition (AHRC) unequivocally condemns the antisemitic “Boycott Ride” planned for November 8, 2026, in Philadelphia, organized by Philly Bike On Your Left, with Boycott CookNSolo and Philly Solidarity Calendar identified as collaborators. This is JEW-HATRED. ANTISEMITISM. PERIOD. The deliberate public targeting of Jewish-owned and Israeli-associated businesses, accompanied by demands that “these Zionist establishments must go,” is an unconscionable campaign of intimidation, exclusion and persecution. No invocation of Israel, Zionism or Palestinian solidarity can excuse or sanitize this antisemitism. The timing is particularly reprehensible: November 8 is the eve of Kristallnacht, the November 9–10, 1938 Nazi pogrom during which Jewish businesses, synagogues and homes were destroyed, Jews were brutalized, and thousands were dragged into concentration camps. To target Jewish livelihoods and gathering venues under the banner of political activism is unfathomable on U.S. soil or anywhere for that matter - and on the anniversary of that terror is a chilling historical echo of a call to violence. As an international human rights organization with an office in Philadelphia, we will not stand idly by and watch antisemitism take root in our city. Dedicated to protecting persecuted minorities, particularly LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers, AHRC understands the devastating consequences of normalizing hatred, collective punishment, dehumanization, and the exclusion of people because of their religion, identity, or actual or perceived beliefs. We have a clear message for our fellow human rights organizations: Human rights are universal, not selective. You cannot claim to stand for human rights while turning your back on those whose rights are being violated. If you fail to defend the rights of some, you undermine the rights of all. We stand unequivocally with Philadelphia's Jewish community and the businesses being targeted. Jewish people belong in Philadelphia. Jewish businesses belong in Philadelphia. Antisemitism does not. Contact Melanie Nathan, commissionermnathan@gmail.com Public Officials and Civil Rights Organizations Condemn the Antisemitic Rally.
Governor Josh Shapiro's administration: “Nothing more than blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities.”
Senator John Fetterman: “Every Democrat of conscience should condemn this sick parade of rank antisemitism.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker: “Singling out businesses because their owners are Jewish is unacceptable and has no place in our city.”
Senator Dave McCormick: “This is pure, unadulterated antisemitism and echoes some of the darkest chapters of human history.”
State Representative Amen Brown: “It is Jew-hatred. And I will not remain silent while this kind of hatred is promoted in our city.”
Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson: “We cannot ignore the historical significance of this moment or the dangerous consequences of allowing antisemitism and hatred to go unchecked in America.”
ADL Philadelphia, AJC Philadelphia/Southern NJ, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and StandWithUs (joint statement): “This is antisemitism. It is Jew-Hatred, plain and simple.”
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission has also formally condemned the targeting, emphasizing that the Kristallnacht anniversary makes vigilance against antisemitism particularly urgent.
We urge our readers to share this widely and to view Yad Vashem's Kristalnacht Exhibit: LINK: https://wwv.yadvashem.org/yv/en/exhibitions/kristallnacht/index.asp
PIC: JEWS ARRESTED KRISTALLNACHT (Yad Vashem)
Jews who were arrested during Kristallnacht
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