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Gov. Josh Shapiro. (Photo credit: Commonwealth Media Services)<\/p>\n Gov. Josh Shapiro. (Photo credit: Commonwealth Media Services)<\/p>\n
An anti-Israel rally in Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia on Feb. 1 drew condemnation from local Jewish organizations and elected officials for what they described as violent extremism and antisemitic rhetoric.<\/p>\n
The rally was organized by the Philly Palestine Coalition and promoted on social media by other pro-Palestinian groups, such as No Sister to Genocide, Philly Writers Against the War on Gaza and the Philadelphia SJP Coalition.<\/p>\n
A post on social media publicizing the rally said, \u201cAbu Obeida lives,\u201d in reference to a prominent Hamas militant who was killed in an airstrike by the Israel Defense Forces in August. The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, ADL Philadelphia and AJC Philadelphia\/Southern New Jersey released a statement on the same day as the rally, saying speakers chanted \u201cintifada\u201d and made calls to \u201ckeep the Zionist enemy in fear.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement also said that rally members were \u201copenly displaying Hamas flags, and effigies of Israeli soldiers depicted in nooses,\u201d and noted that one speaker stated, \u201cMartyrdom is a commitment, a principle. It gives life to the movement and carries it forward \u2026 our task is to identify tangible, precise ways to attack the genocidal Zionist enemy and actually f\u2014ing attack.\u201d<\/p>\n
The joint statement explained, \u201cCalls for \u2018martyrdom,\u2019 praise for terrorist organizations, and depictions of people in nooses are hallmarks of violent extremism, not civic discourse.\u201d
\u201cThis was not a metaphor or abstract political speech,\u201d the statement added. \u201cIt was explicit incitement for violence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHamas is a violent terrorist organization whose stated goal is the destruction of Israel and the murder of Jews,\u201d Will Simons, a spokesperson for Gov. Josh Shapiro, wrote in a statement to Philadelphia Jewish Exponent. \u201cSupport for Hamas and the antisemitism the group foments has no place in Pennsylvania. The Governor will continue to call out all forms of antisemitism and hate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Democratic state Sen. Sharif Street wrote in a statement on X that he \u201cforcefully\u201d condemns the \u201cantisemitic rally.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an American Muslim, I feel compelled to say that Hamas is a terrorist organization and should be condemned \u2014 not glorified. Anyone calling for violence in the streets of Philadelphia is not advancing peace,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re setting it back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring this time of increased violence, we must stand against the rising tide of extremism and do the hard work of building a peace where every person, Jewish and Muslim, Israeli and Palestinian, can live in safety,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Democratic state Rep. Tarik Khan also condemned the rally on social media, stating, \u201cAny protest or organization that glorifies Hamas and terrorism has no place in Philadelphia.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe support a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the Israeli\u2013Palestinian conflict, and we stand for an end to the violence that has taken far too many Palestinian and Israeli lives,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
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Andrew Goretsky. (Courtesy of Andrew Goretsky)<\/p>\n
\u201cThe rhetoric was some of the worst I\u2019ve seen in Philadelphia since Oct. 7,\u201d said Andrew Goretsky, the senior regional director of ADL Philadelphia, in an interview with Philadelphia Jewish Exponent.<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cThis type of behavior and statements cannot be met with silence.\u201d<\/p>\n
U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans said in a statement on X, \u201cI stand with the vast majority of Philadelphians against the hate that was on display at a disgusting, antisemitic pro-Hamas rally yesterday at Rittenhouse Square. I stand with both our Jewish and Muslim neighbors for peace and against violence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday also posted a statement on X condemning the rally, stating, \u201cThe messages from this rally are vile, hateful and truly antisemitic.<\/p>\n
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Attorney General Dave Sunday. (Photo credit: wikicommons\/WOLF-TV)<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, we have seen this scene play out too many times and it inspires fear in far too many people. It must stop. I join those that have spoken out against this and condemn the words and actions from this rally.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Facebook, state Sen. Amanda Cappelletti wrote, \u201cThis past weekend, we witnessed an appalling display of antisemitism on our streets. We must never condone political violence in this country, nor watch in silence as our neighbors feel unsafe.\u201d<\/p>\n
State Rep. Dan Frankel and state Sen. Judy Schwank, co-chairs of the PA Legislative Jewish Caucus, wrote in a joint statement on their Facebook pages, \u201cThe Philly Palestine Coalition rally in Rittenhouse Square Sunday crossed a clear and dangerous line.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cChants calling for an \u201cintifada,\u201d threats to \u201cattack the enemy,\u201d and imagery celebrating death are antisemitic and meant to intimidate Jewish communities here at home, putting real people at risk,\u201d the statement said. \u201cAt a time when Jews face the vast majority of religiously motivated hate crimes, this incitement is especially irresponsible.\u201d<\/p>\n
They added, \u201cNothing justifies celebrating terrorism or threatening violence in our public spaces.\u201d<\/p>\n