White House calls protest at Israeli restaurant in Philadelphia an act of antisemitism

The White House is condemning a protest outside an Israeli-style falafel restaurant in Philadelphia, calling it an act of antisemitism and completely unjustifiable. Dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators seeking a cease-fire in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas were recorded on video this past weekend shouting “genocide” outside the restaurant.

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In a statement released on Monday, Dec. 4, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates called the protest antisemitic and unjustifiable.

“President Biden has fought against the evil of Antisemitism his entire life, including by launching the first national strategy to counter this hate in American history,” Bates said. “He will always stand up firmly against these kinds of undignified actions.”

The White House’s statement followed one by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, D, who also criticized the protest, calling it a “blatant act of antisemitism and not a peaceful protest.”

“A restaurant was targeted and mobbed because its owner is Jewish and Israeli,” Shapiro said. “This hate and bigotry is reminiscent of a dark time in history.”

The owners of the restaurant have declined to comment as of yet. The mayor of Philadelphia said the city’s Commission of Human Relations would investigate.

Since Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel which left 1,200 Israelis dead, the U.S. has seen an increase in both antisemitism and Islamophobic instances and violent attacks.