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Jewish organizations in Philadelphia on Monday condemned an anti-Israel protest that crossed into open support for terrorism and direct incitement to violence.
The rally took place in Rittenhouse Square on Sunday and was organized by the Philly Palestine Coalition. Jewish leaders said protest materials and on-site rhetoric went far beyond legitimate political expression.
In a joint statement, Jewish organizations noted the event featured rhetoric and imagery that celebrated terrorist violence and encouraged physical attacks. The statement was issued by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia together with local Jewish communal partners.
According to the statement, advertisements promoting the rally featured the slogan “Abu Obeida lives.” The phrase refers to a spokesman for the Hamas terrorist organization who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza last summer.
At the rally itself, protesters chanted calls for an “intifada.” Demonstrators waved Hamas flags. Some also displayed effigies of Israeli soldiers hanging in nooses.
Speakers addressed the crowd with violent rhetoric, with one urging demonstrators to “keep the Zionist enemy in fear,” according to the statement.
“Martyrdom is a commitment, a principle. It gives life to the movement and carries it forward…our task is to identify tangible, precise ways to attack the genocidal Zionist enemy and actually f—ing attack.”
This was said yesterday in Rittenhouse Square at a rally organized by… pic.twitter.com/KNPtZHzB50
— Next Philly Mayor 🏆 (@nextphlmayor) February 2, 2026
Jewish Leaders Say Rally Crossed Into Explicit Incitement
“Martyrdom is a commitment, a principle. It gives life to the movement and carries it forward,” a speaker said. “Our task is to identify tangible, precise ways to attack the genocidal Zionist enemy and actually f***ing attack.”
Jewish leaders said the language used at the rally amounted to a direct call for physical harm. “This was not a metaphor or abstract political speech. It was explicit incitement for violence,” the statement said. “Such language and imagery are dangerous, antisemitic and unacceptable.”
The organizations warned that glorifying terrorist groups such as Hamas and urging attacks against “Zionist enemies” places Jewish residents at risk and threatens public safety across the city.
“This type of activity directly endangers the Jewish community and undermines the safety of all Philadelphians, creating a climate of fear in our city,” the statement added.
Jewish leaders urged local officials and civic institutions to respond decisively, stressing that free expression did not include advocacy for violence or terrorism.
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