Demand Action from Philadelphia: Protect Jewish-Owned Businesses from Targeted Antisemitism

I used to live in Philadelphia, and I continue to visit the city often. Watching the recent scenes of people lining up around Philadelphia restaurants in response to an attempted boycott targeting Jewish-owned businesses was incredibly meaningful. It sent a powerful message: Jewish businesses belong in Philadelphia, and attempts to intimidate or exclude them will not go unanswered.

The boycott sought to associate these business owners with Israel and its government, treating their Jewish identity or Israeli background as a reason to target their businesses. But business owners are private individuals, not representatives or spokespersons for the Israeli government. Some may be Israeli, while others are Jewish with no public connection to Israel whatsoever. Each has their own beliefs, perspectives, and personal relationship with Israel. No one should be expected to defend or answer for the policies or actions of a government simply because of their religion, heritage, or nationality.

This is about much more than a handful of restaurants. When businesses are singled out because their owners are Jewish or Israeli, it sends a chilling message to an entire community: that their participation in public life is conditional, and that they can be pressured, intimidated, or excluded because of who they are. That is unacceptable, and Philadelphia should take it seriously.

This issue also goes beyond the Jewish community. Targeting businesses based on the identity or national background of their owners threatens the values that allow Philadelphia’s diverse communities to coexist. Local businesses employ residents, serve neighborhoods, and contribute to the character of the city. No business owner should have to fear being targeted simply because they are Jewish or Israeli.

Philadelphia officials have rightly recognized that this kind of targeting is unacceptable. But statements of condemnation, while important, are not enough. The city needs a concrete bias-response plan for businesses targeted because of religion, ethnicity, or national origin. That plan should include clear reporting procedures, direct outreach and support for affected business owners, coordination among relevant city agencies, and public guidance to ensure that businesses facing targeted intimidation are not left to navigate it alone.

I may no longer live in Philadelphia, but it remains a city I care deeply about. I am asking city leadership to turn its words into meaningful action. Protect local businesses. Stand with the Jewish community. Defend the principle that no one should be singled out, intimidated, or excluded because of who they are.

Please sign this petition and urge Philadelphia to establish a real, actionable response to identity-based targeting of local businesses.