Rep.-elect Christopher Rabb, a Democratic socialist set to represent a Philadelphia congressional district including Rittenhouse Square, did not respond to requests for comment regarding a boycott of Jewish-owned businesses in the neighborhood. The demonstration, organized by the left-wing cycling group Philly Bike on Your Left, occurred over the weekend and coincided with the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi-organized attacks on Jews and Jewish properties.
Rabb, who currently serves in the Pennsylvania state House, faced inquiries about his position on the boycott's objectives and whether Jewish-owned businesses should be targeted due to the Israeli government's actions. While Rabb remained silent, several prominent Pennsylvania Democrats, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, Sen. John Fetterman, and Rep. Brendan Boyle, publicly condemned the event.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative commentators and Republican officials highlighted the silence of Rep.-elect Rabb, noting his history of anti-Israel activism. Rabb has previously declared that the "Nakba never ended," appeared with anti-Israel streamer Hasan Piker, and participated in protests labeling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "war criminal." Critics argue that his lack of response to a boycott targeting Jewish businesses in the district he will represent signals a tolerance for rhetoric that many in the Jewish community find offensive.
Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., whose statement was widely cited by conservative outlets, explicitly linked the boycott to historical antisemitism. "[T]argeting local businesses simply because they are Jewish-owned is simply wrong. Indeed, it is antisemitism," Boyle said. "It evokes the darkest chapters of history, including the Nazi boycotts of Jewish businesses in the 1930s and Kristallnacht." Boyle added that such "hatred and discrimination has no place in our city."
What the Left Is Saying
The Philadelphia chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), of which Rabb is a member, denied organizing or endorsing the demonstration. In a statement to Fox News Digital, the DSA criticized Shapiro, Johnson, and Boyle for conflating antisemitism with anti-Zionism. The group argued that invoking comparisons to Kristallnacht "trivialize[s] trauma and suppress[es] political speech."
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, a progressive figure, drew a distinction between criticizing national leadership and blaming individuals. Krasner stated that "there is a difference between the leadership of a country and the people who reside there." He compared the boycott to blaming all Americans for the actions of President Donald Trump, asking, "Donald Trump didn't do so well in this last election. Are all Americans the same as Donald Trump? Can they all be blamed for the things that he has done — is that fair?" Krasner noted that legitimate demonstrations should not include epithets such as "ZioBusiness," a term he compared to rhetoric used by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke.
What the Numbers Show
The boycott targeted Jewish-owned businesses in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood, an area within the new congressional district Rabb is set to represent. Flyers distributed for the rally carried slogans including "No business for Zionists" and "Not in our city." The demonstration drew a large counterprotest supporting Jewish residents and businesses. Rabb's office staff acknowledged receiving inquiries but did not provide a response within the two-hour deadline set by reporters. The event occurred in November, aligning with the anniversary of Kristallnacht, which refers to the November 1938 Nazi-organized attacks across Germany and Austria.
The Bottom Line
The incident underscores growing tensions within the Democratic Party in Philadelphia regarding the intersection of anti-Zionist activism and perceptions of antisemitism. With Rabb preparing to enter Congress representing a district that includes the site of the boycott, his stance on the issue remains a point of contention for constituents and fellow lawmakers. The DSA's rejection of the boycott's organizers while criticizing mainstream Democrats for their response suggests a fragmented progressive base. Future developments will depend on whether Rabb addresses the controversy before his swearing-in and how local Jewish communities engage with his office in the coming term.