With their anti-Semitic attack on Goldie’s on Sansom Street, the Philly Palestine Coalition has revealed (again) its true colors, which are these:
Despite a remarkably soft Inquirer story on the attack, the words and actions of the group convict them in the court of public opinion, condemned as anti-Semitism by many elected officials.
Nationally, the White House condemned the actions at Goldie’s as “unjustifiable” and “anti-Semitic.” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said a protest outside a restaurant solely because it is owned “by a Jewish person, that is anti-Semitism, plain and simple.”
U.S. Representative Brendan Boyle said on X that “Philadelphia stands against this sort of harassment and hate.” U.S. Rep Dwight Evans said similar.
Even progressive, pro-Palestinian Pennsylvania State Sen. Nikil Saval said he was “appalled,” adding, “Targeting Jewish neighbors and businesses because of the actions of the Israeli government perpetuates violence.”
These harsh indictments stand in contrast to the incredibly vacuous statement of Mayor Jim Kenney, which said “residents are concerned about the protest.” Residents are just “concerned,” but nothing about how our notoriously emotion mayor feels.
Specifically targeting Jewish business kindled chilling memories of the 1938 Kristallnacht, in which 7,000 Jewish-owned German businesses were ransacked, along with attacks on Jewish schools, hospitals, synagogues, and individuals. Stores were smeared with graffiti to denote Jewish ownership.
The Inquirer said the mob, estimated at more than 400, stopped “briefly,” but long enough to chant: “Goldie, Goldie, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.” The paper claimed “no vandalism,” but Palestine stickers were placed on Goldie’s windows and “free Palestine” graffiti was seen on some business store fronts.
The owner of Goldie’s, Michael Solomonov, is Jewish, but the Inquirer’s first reference to him was as Israeli. The owner-chef chef is Israeli-American.
The Inquirer quoted protest organizer Natalie Abulhawa as denying the protest was anti-Jewish. Of course she did.
That is as believable as Capt. Louis Renault’s faux anger upon learning that gambling is permitted in the Rick’s Cafe in the movie “Casa Blanca.”
The Palestinian side is notorious for lying, as demonstrated in an earlier column reporting on the three great lies of genocide, apartheid, and colonizers.
I then added another three great lies — racism, white supremacy, ethnic cleansing. All are demonstrable lies.
What makes it hard for the Philly Palestine Coalition to deny their methods are their own words on social media.
Note the term “Zionist establishments.”
That means Jewish establishments, plain and simple. (The term Zionist means a belief that the Jewish people are entitled to a homeland, a movement that started in the late 19th Century.)
In an earlier interview, Solomonov said he sympathizes with the plight of the Palestinian people and does not endorse everything the Israeli government does.
But such sentiments are ignored by the Jew-crazed Coalition.
They are out for blood, Jewish blood, and those actions should be, must be, condemned by all Americans.
The Inquirer report was offensive in its efforts to downplay the hatred evidenced at the ‘rally’. Are the ‘reporters’ afraid they will be targeted next? The Inquirer continues to disappoint on a daily basis. If anyone thinks they are getting a full or balanced analysis, on any issue, from the Inquirer, they are completely un-inforned, Very very disappointing.
Stu,
Well written, all true.
Very glad to read your thoughts.
However, when have local and national marchers and mass protestors been well informed, knowledgeable, or even “above average?”
My comment emphatically includes student groups protesting on many campuses, too. Yes, I well remember my marching, protesting, demanding and embarrassingly naive classmates in college!
When I was in college, we were marching for civil rights, which was empirically a good and noble cause. Binary. Very clear cut.
Why are these Anti Semetic mobs not being prosecuted for hate crimes? Beyond comprehension
Hate by itself is not a crime in our country, nor should it be. We are free to both love and hate whom we choose and to publicly expound our feelings without fear of prosecution. What we cannot do is commit criminal acts against others whatever our motivation may be, nor should we be spared the opprobrium of others for our criminal acts.
👍
My entire life I’ve despised bigotry of any kind, against any group. What we’re seeing now in America is just sad beyond words.
Some people do not realize what hate leads to. Some have never seen the eyes of people ready to riot.Some people believe hate in itself should not be a crime. What should hate be called then? People being exterminated, people rioting and looting in our own streets, Police, Jews, Whites,Blacks,Asians,Gays,what is the word that precludes the killing of these people? So hate isn’t a crime, interesting. Unless you are the one who is hated.
With respect, I disagree. Hate is an emotion. It should not be a crime until it becomes action, and even then it is usually covered by existing crimes, such as murder, assault, rape, etc.
The anti-Semitic hatred starts with a drip here and a drip there, and soon the dam is breached and the flood follows. Wake up, America!
I’ve eaten at Goldies. Fine establishment. Good food.
Everyone with a voice needs to stand against such things, and LOUDLY. Period.
Thank you, Mr Bykofsky, for an extremely factual and important article. The mobs demonstrating at Goldie’s restaurant have the exact same beliefs as those who engaged in the 1938 Kristallnacht violence and destruction. I totally agree with freeze.
I totally agree with you. These “protesters” are just out for Jewish blood. They must be condemned by all Americans.
You are welcome.