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Governor Condemns Anti-Semitic Chants at Philadelphia Protest Outside Israeli Restaurant

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro speaks during a news conference in Yardley, Pa., on Dec. 4, 2023. | Matt Rourke/AP

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro rebukes protesters for chanting “genocide” outside a falafel restaurant in Philadelphia, calling it blatant antisemitism. The demonstration was part of a larger march against Israel’s military actions in Gaza, with unclear motives for targeting the restaurant.

Key Points:

  1. Antisemitic Chants: Demonstrators outside Goldie Falafel were recorded chanting, “Goldie, Goldie, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.” Governor Shapiro labels the protest as antisemitism and condemns the purposeful targeting of a Jewish-owned establishment.
  2. Governor’s Response: Governor Shapiro expresses his disapproval on social media and later confirms his support for the restaurant’s owners during a news conference. He emphasizes the importance of condemning blatant antisemitism.
  3. Restaurant Ownership: Goldie Falafel is owned by Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook, both Jewish. Michael Solomonov is a renowned Israeli chef with multiple awards. The restaurant, part of the CookNSolo group, operates vegan kosher establishments in Philadelphia.
  4. Restaurant’s Reaction: Representatives of CookNSolo refrain from commenting on the protest. The vegan kosher restaurant, Goldie Falafel, has five locations in Philadelphia.
  5. Public Reaction: The incident prompts a show of support, with a line of people outside Goldie on the following day, indicating solidarity and opposition to the antisemitic actions.
  6. White House Response: White House spokesperson Andrew Bates deems it “completely unjustifiable” to target restaurants over disagreements with Israeli policy, emphasizing the need for respectful dialogue.
  7. Context on Gaza Conflict: The protests stem from broader concerns about Israel’s military actions in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, resulting in the deadliest Israeli-Palestinian violence in decades.
  8. Wider Impact: The war in Gaza has led to protests across the U.S. and globally, reflecting the widespread impact and concern for the ongoing conflict.
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