Tensions flared in a Philadelphia neighborhood Sunday after a bike ride organized to boycott several Jewish-owned restaurants sparked overwhelming backlash from the city's Jewish and pro-Israel communities.
The "boycott ride" targeted at least six restaurants in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square, labeling them "Zionist establishments" and calling for them to leave, according to pro-Palestinian group Philly Bike On Your Left, which organized the event.
As riders cycled through the streets waving Palestinian flags, hundreds of Jewish and pro-Israel community members turned out to oppose the demonstration, with heated exchanges unfolding across several city blocks. Dozens of diners also lined up outside the targeted restaurants in a show of solidarity with the Jewish-owned businesses.
The boycott also drew sharp criticism for taking place on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi pogrom against Jews in Germany and Austria marked by widespread anti-Jewish violence, including attacks on homes, synagogues and businesses.
The Philadelphia police told Fox News that at least three people were arrested in connection with the protest, including a woman accused of assault, a man accused of disorderly conduct and a 17-year-old male accused of assaulting police.
Meanwhile, a female counterprotester reported being assaulted by an unknown individual.
Two officers also sustained minor injuries during the arrest of one individual, according to the outlet. Neither required medical treatment.
No property damage was reported, and conditions returned to normal by late afternoon, police said.
Police said about 500 people participated in total, including roughly 300 pro-Palestinian demonstrators, 200 of whom were on bicycles, and 200 pro-Israeli counterprotesters.
Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators and counterprotesters shouting at one another.
"This is antisemitism. It is Jew-Hatred, plain and simple," the organization said.
"The ride falls on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, when Nazi-organized mobs destroyed thousands of Jewish businesses, homes and synagogues in Germany and Austria, while thousands of Jews were beaten, assaulted and sent to concentration camps. The public targeting of Jewish businesses should alarm every person of conscience. We cannot allow such hatred to become normalized in Philadelphia."
The organizers, however, pushed back against the criticism, claiming their ride had been "grossly misrepresented" and describing themselves as a nonviolent social cycling group.