Hundreds rally for Gaza in Philly, stop to protest outside Goldie falafel shop

Hundreds of protesters marched through Center City and University City to show their support for Gaza and demand a permanent cease-fire. It’s the latest in sustained local efforts aiming to call attention to the war and its fallout.

Protesters were critical of some local businesses, including Goldie in Center City, an Israeli-style falafel shop. Goldie is part of the CookNSolo group, which is co-owned by Israeli-born Michael Solomonov. Last month, a small group protested outside CookNSolo’s Laser Wolf in Fishtown, and in October, an Instagram post by the Philly Palestine Coalition called for a boycott of several Philadelphia restaurants, including CookNSolo’s.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro responded to a video of protesters chanting in front of Goldie, calling the stop in front of the business a “blatant act of antisemitism — not a peaceful protest.”

“A restaurant was targeted and mobbed because its owner is Jewish and Israeli,” said Shapiro on X, formerly Twitter, adding he’s reached out to owner Solomonov to share his support.