Fetterman lashes out over bike boycott of Jewish businesses: ‘A**holes-on-wheels’

Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) deplored a pro-Palestine bike ride boycott of Jewish-owned businesses in Philadelphia slated for Sunday, adding to growing criticism that the protest was antisemitic.The boycott was organized by Philly Bike on Your Left, an organization that plans social biking events and claims to be anti-fascist, anti-zionist, and anti-police. According to a flier posted to the group’s Instagram, the bike ride will boycott six businesses owned by Jewish families because “these zionist establishments must go.”“This ‘Boycott Ride’ in Philadelphia is the Left’s pro-Hamas, Jew-hating, BDS a**holes-on-wheels,” Fetterman said in an X post. “Every Democrat of conscience should condemn this sick parade of rank antisemitism.” The bike ride is scheduled for Nov. 8, the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, also known as the Night of Broken Glass, in which the Nazis looted thousands of Jewish-owned German businesses. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said she has directed local law enforcement to coordinate with other agencies to maintain safety, acknowledging “everyone has the right to peacefully protest and express their political views.”Fetterman, who has been outspoken in his support for Israel, thanked Parker for taking action to “ensure the safety of the Jewish community.”Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), who is Jewish, also weighed in on the matter and ripped the protest as “blatant antisemitism.”SCHUMER VOWS TO BLOCK ‘RIGHT-WINGER’ SUPREME COURT NOMINEES“The Shapiro Administration is aware of this planned protest and the Pennsylvania State Police is engaged with our local partners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our neighbors in Philadelphia,” Shapiro spokesperson Rosie Lapowsky said. “This bike ride, masquerading as a protest to advance the cause of justice, is nothing more than blatant antisemitism designed to intimidate and drive Jewish businesses out of our communities, and there is no place for that in our Commonwealth.”The boycott will take place in Rittenhouse Square, which is home to a significant and growing Jewish population. Philly Bike on Your Left has organized several such bike ride protests and has another scheduled for later this month to again protest Israel, which they accuse of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.