Philly Palestine Day event draws objections from Jewish organizations

Philadelphia’s fifth annual Palestine Day slated for next week in City Hall is stirring up controversy due to its proximity to an important date for Jewish people. The event is set for November 24, 2025, in the mayor’s reception room where she’ll issue a proclamation, according to a flyer provided by one of the organizers. 

As a result, the Zionist Organization of America’s Greater Philadelphia (ZOAGP) chapter sent a certified letter to Mayor Cherelle Parker last week asking her to cancel the event “out of grave concern for the well-being of the local Jewish community, all Philadelphians and visitors to our city from its suburbs and beyond, as well as for Philadelphia’s reputation.”

ZOAGP Executive Director, Steve Feldman, confirmed the certified letter was delivered to the mayor’s office on November 17, 2025, but is not optimistic that she will cancel the event.

“We believe it is highly unlikely that the mayor will cancel the event because it appears that she is under the influence of those who are anti-Jewish and who want to delegitimize Israel and Jewish self-determination,” said Feldman. “Last year’s such event — the first since Parker has been mayor — was relatively low-key. This year it is in City Hall and she will issue a proclamation in support.”

The mayor’s office did not return a request for comment, and its website only shows special events through November 22, 2025.

The flyer describes the event as a celebration of “the longstanding social, economic, and historical contributions of Palestinian Philadelphians and the broader Arab community, whose roots in this city reach back to the mid-1800’s.”

The description reads simply as a commemoration of Palestinians in Philadelphia; however, Feldman and the ZOAGP view the event, and particularly its timing, differently.

“The timing of the event indicates that there is an agenda behind it beyond celebrating Palestinian-Arabs or Arabs in general,” said Feldman. “It is within a week of November 29 — the anniversary of the passage of United Nations Resolution 181, which cleared the way for the re-establishment of Israel by partitioning British Mandate Palestine — and a significant day for Jews. The Jewish People accepted the partition. The Arabs rejected it.”

Feldman questioned why the city did not consider other dates or a different time of year.

“If the city wants to celebrate Palestinian-Arabs, why not do it in the Spring or any time other than in the vicinity of this anniversary,” asked Feldman. “And if the event is supposed to recognize the larger Arab community, why not celebrate Egyptian Independence day? Egypt is the most populous Arab country. The answer is simple: When you connect the dots: the dagger is pointed at the Jews.”

Jude Husein, one of the event organizers, replied to a request for comment by sharing the flyer and inviting Broad + Liberty to the event; however, she did not respond to a question about ZOAGP’s request to cancel the event.

Other Jewish advocacy groups expressed dismay over the mayor’s event and questioned its affiliation with the School District of Philadelphia. 

“The upcoming Philadelphia Palestine Day — supported by the Office of Muslim Engagement, the School District of Philadelphia, and organizations within the Philadelphia Palestine Coalition — has sparked serious concern within the city’s Jewish community,” said Caren Lowrey, a member of a grassroots watchdog group that tracks antisemitism and anti-Zionism. Husein disputes Lowrey’s assertion that any of the organizations listed above are partners in organizing the event.

“At a time when antisemitism and anti-Zionism are escalating across Philadelphia’s schools and public spaces, and with multiple federal complaints and lawsuits already filed citing discrimination and hostility toward Jewish students, this City Hall proclamation sends a deeply troubling message,” Lowry said. “Instead of fostering dialogue or understanding, the event appears to elevate groups that have repeatedly spread falsehoods and dangerous rhetoric about Jews and Israel, while actively resisting Jewish inclusion in academic, civic, and cultural settings.”

Philadelphia School District Communications Officer, Christina Clark, denied any connection to the event in a response to a request for comment.

The School District of Philadelphia Jewish Families Association (SDPJFA), an advocacy group composed of Jewish parents and families, raised additional concerns about Palestinian recognition days amidst allegations of antisemitism in the district. Specifically, the group notes the district includes November 29 as the “International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People” on its cultural calendar, yet excludes November 30 as the “Mizrahi Heritage Day of Commemoration.”

Mizrahi Heritage Month is recognized in November and the specific day of commemoration is celebrated on November 30 annually. This is similar to the district recognizing November as “Trans Awareness Month” and November 20 as the “Trans Day of Remembrance.”

The district lists both the Trans Month in November and the specific date as the day of remembrance but only lists the Mizrahi Heritage Month and not the day of commemoration.

“It is highly offensive and deeply troubling that the School District of Philadelphia chose to add ‘Palestinian Solidarity Day’ to its official calendar, and particularly so under the banner of Mizrahi Heritage Month, a time meant to honor Jews who are indigenous to the land that is now Israel and across the Middle East and were expelled from Middle Eastern countries simply for being Jewish,” said a spokesperson for SDPJFA.

“This decision is not only politically charged, but profoundly insensitive. For years, the district has quietly erased Jewish holidays and observances from its calendar.  Now, it is going further — inserting divisive, political observances that have no place in public schools. This is not about inclusion or cultural celebration. It is about advancing a political narrative in a school system that should be focused on education, safety, and respect for all communities, including the Jewish community.”

Update: This article now includes a post-publication comment from Husein disputing Lowrey’s statement about other organizations’ involvement.

Beth Ann Rosica resides in West Chester, has a Ph.D. in Education, and has dedicated her career to advocating on behalf of at-risk children and families. She covers education issues for Broad + Liberty. Contact her at barosica@broadandliberty.com.