Philadelphia voters will be represented in Congress by Rep.-elect Christopher Rabb, D‑Pa., a self‑identified democratic socialist who currently serves in the state House. Over the weekend, a left‑wing cycling group called Philly Bike on Your Left helped organize a boycott of Jewish‑owned businesses in the city’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Flyers for the rally read “No business for Zionists” and “Not in our city.” The demonstration coincided with the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi‑organized attacks on Jews and Jewish‑owned businesses in Europe.
Rabb’s silence draws sharp rebuke
When Fox News Digital reached out to Rabb’s Harrisburg and campaign offices for comment, the congressman’s staff acknowledged the inquiry but did not provide a response before the two‑hour deadline. Rabb’s lack of comment stood in stark contrast to public condemnations from several prominent Pennsylvania Democrats. Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Sen. John Fetterman all denounced the boycott as antisemitic.
District Attorney Larry Krasner, also a progressive Democrat, noted the boycott’s proximity to the Kristallnacht anniversary and called the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel a “terrorist attack.” Krasner warned that targeting businesses solely because of the owners’ religion or heritage is unfair and likened the language used by some protesters to historic hate speech.
Background on Rabb’s positions
Rabb has been an outspoken critic of Israel. He previously declared that the “Nakba never ended,” referencing the displacement of Palestinians in 1948, and has appeared alongside anti‑Israel streamer Hasan Piker. He has called for Pennsylvania and the federal government to divest from Israel and participated in protests labeling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal.”
Despite these past statements, the Philadelphia chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) said it had no official involvement in the boycott and denied organizing or endorsing the demonstration.
Local officials condemn the boycott
Rep. Brendan Boyle, D‑Pa., publicly condemned the planned boycott, calling it “antisemitism” and drawing parallels to the Nazi boycotts of Jewish businesses in the 1930s and the Kristallnacht attacks. “Targeting local businesses simply because they are Jewish‑owned is simply wrong,” Boyle said. “This kind of hatred and discrimination has no place in our city.”
The controversy arrives as Rabb prepares to represent a larger congressional district that includes Center City and Rittenhouse Square, the very area where the boycott took place. The incident is likely to test his ability to navigate community concerns and uphold the values of religious liberty and respect for all residents.
What’s next for the district?
Local leaders and community groups are urging calm and dialogue. While the boycott has drawn a sizable counter‑protest supporting Jewish residents and businesses, the episode underscores ongoing tensions over foreign‑policy debates and their impact on local communities. Observers note that the upcoming congressional term will require Rabb to balance his activist background with the expectations of a diverse constituency that includes both progressive activists and long‑standing business owners.
As the new Congress convenes, the Philadelphia district will watch closely how its representative addresses the fallout from the boycott and whether he will engage with the concerns raised by state officials, local business owners, and faith‑based community members.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
