Philly Jewish groups condemn support for terror, ‘incitement to violence’ at anti-Israel protest

Jewish groups in Philadelphia say an anti-Israel protest in the city today included support for terror groups, incitement to violence and antisemitic statements.

A group called the Philly Palestine Coalition organized the rally in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square. Advertisements for the protest included the slogan, “Abu Obeida lives,” a reference to the late spokesman for the Hamas terror group, says a joint statement from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia and the local branches of the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee.

The statement says that at the rally, protesters chanted for an “intifada,” demonstrators carried Hamas flags and had effigies of Israeli soldiers in nooses, and a speaker urged the crowd to “keep the Zionist enemy in fear.”

“Martyrdom is a commitment, a principle. It gives life to the movement and carries it forward,” one of the speakers said, according to the Jewish groups. “Our task is to identify tangible, precise ways to attack the genocidal Zionist enemy and actually fucking attack.”

“This was not a metaphor or abstract political speech. It was explicit incitement for violence. Such language and imagery are dangerous, antisemitic and unacceptable,” the statement says. “This type of activity directly endangers the Jewish community and undermines the safety of all Philadelphians, creating a climate of fear in our city.”