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StopDontShop targets Walker’s
A group called StopDontShop that supports boycotts of businesses that support anti-Semetic tactics or efforts has targeted Walker’s for permitting a group of diners who put a sign on their table reading “Zionism is Terrorism.”
Walker’s has already responded on Instagram, and said it will update its own policies to not allow any political signage in the bar and restaurant.
“Let us be clear,” the post said. “Walker’s does not support hate speech in any form. We are committed to being a welcoming, inclusive space for all people, regardless of background, identity or belief.”
The restaurant said that the sign was removed quickly by staff, but not before it had circulated online, clearly. “Unfortunately the situation escalated quickly, placing our team in the difficult position of trying to mediate and de-escalate tensions between guests.”
The StopDontShop organization ranks businesses based on their stance toward the Jewish community using a three-tier system: Don’t Shop, Caution and Shop. The ranking is based on research, social media activity, business practices and adherence to U.S. standards on antisemitism.
Tribeca, NYC – despite outrage by diners, Walker’s Bar (16 N Moore Street) allowed this antisemitic sign, as well as these guests, to remain.
Zionism is simply the Jewish right to self determination. Imagine telling another group of people they’re not allowed to this simple… pic.twitter.com/ztZvNWTLzi
— SDS (@stopdontshoporg) September 28, 2025
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I haven’t been to Walkers in some time, but will be sure to head there regularly.
I hear next Monday is KKK night. Let’s go together! We can celebrate our Right to Expression in private places guaranteed no where in law!
This is gaslighting 101. There are few if any anti-Zionists that oppose the right to Jewish self-determination.
What the vast majority of anti-Zionists are opposed to is that self-determination being exercised, violently, on existing peoples’ lands, without their consent. When the UN voted to establish a Jewish state on those lands in 1947, its 57 member states were almost entirely comprised of European or newly independent / de-colonizing states (i.e., very few African or Asian states had a vote), which evinces less of a global agreement and much more of a European one (ironically, to encourage Ashkenazi Jews to leave Europe, rather than out of any meaningful
camaraderie with post-war Jewry).
Worth noting (as this often goes unsaid) that Chaim Weizmann and the soon-to-be King Faisal of Mecca (who led the Arab revolt against the Ottomans in WWI) signed an agreement in 1919 that explicitly contemplated a Jewish homeland in what is today Israel/Palestine, but only on the condition that the European powers keep their word and grant full Arab autonomy over the Arab parts of the Ottoman Empire. The European powers did not keep their end of the bargain and, well, the rest is (unfortunately not positive) history.
Many of us hold compassion and empathy for both (Christian and Muslim) Palestinians and Jews worldwide, and hope that Palestinians and Israelis can come to some reasonable understanding whereby each recognizes the worth and dignity of the other, but gaslighting and obfuscating activists’ intent (and modern history) does not serve that purpose, and instead mainly encourages people to adopt more extreme views.
Signed, a former U.S. diplomat and defense official (under both Republican and Democratic administrations)
How do you know the percentage of anti-zionists who oppose the existence of Israel vs the ones who oppose the existence of Jews? Do you all get together or vote online?
Thank you for the thoughtful commentary. Everyone deserves self-determination. No one is free until we’re all free, etc.
To Reader on Reade: According to World Jewish Congress, 95 to 98% of the world’s Jews call ourselves Zionist. To declare that antiZionism isn’t antisemitism, is bogus nonsense. And the UN vote was in regards to acknowledging the Jewish ties to our ancestral homeland. Jews have always maintained a permanent presence there. To deny history, archeology proves you refuse the truth.
And to jake: the targeted extermination of a people with the intent to eliminate them is the definition of genocide. Israel is no more guilty of that then Switzerland is. Give that nonsense a rest.
Gaslighting??? The sign clearly states “Zionism is terrorism” which is in and of itself offensive. You can make the argument that “anti-zionists” are not against the right for people of Jewish faith to enjoy self-determination, but your defense indicates an underlying approval of the sign that was displayed, which is indefensible. Furthermore there are plenty of venues for political speech and I respect Walkers for acting quickly to remove the signage and confirm that their restaurant is not one of those venues. Get on a soap box in the town square and leave the politics out of my enjoyment of a night out.
Funny how comments criticizing this anonymous “former diplomat’s” bigoted stance have all been removed. I guess Tribeca Citizen is not quite independent.
You can read the comment policy here. Most of those comments were coming from the same person using different names.
I was at Walker’s on Saturday night and witnessed this encounter firsthand.
During the 45 minutes I was there, the sign remained up the entire time and was never taken down by employees.
Their messaging of the “sign being removed quickly by staff, but not before it had circulated online” is unfortunately a lie.
The photo in the tweet is disgusting. Clearly lots of people with nothing better to do with their lives than spread hate.
“Zionism is terrorism” but fantasies of Islamic dominance over the west using actual terrorism is apparently fine to cheer for on NYC college campuses. I will never understand the mindset of so-called “progressives” in this city allying themselves with radical Islamic fundamentalist who want to see them, their love ones, and their entire way of life destroyed.
Anyway, please don’t let the actions of a few idiots at Walker’s speak for the establishment or owners of the bar. It’s not their fault some ignorant patrons put up a political sign. Been there dozens of times over the years and never seen anything remotely permissive of anti-Semitism.
Israel has committed – and is committing – genocide in Gaza.
No, it hasn’t. There is no “genocide” in Gaza and no – Jews, and Israelis, are not mass murderers. That is a vicious slur, a lie, an obscenity.
Zionism: Some people define it as the Jewish right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. Others view it as a political project tied to displacement and domination.
“Free Palestine”: To some, it means Palestinian right to freedom and self-determination. To others, it’s heard as a call to eliminate Israel altogether.
“Intifada”: Some interpret it as a grassroots uprising for liberation. Others understand it as violent attacks and terrorism.
The point: words alone don’t carry universal meaning. People project history, pain, and politics into them. If we give one side the benefit of nuance, we have to extend the same to the other. Otherwise, it’s double standards.
Thank you for clarifying.
Also – the information in the story is also false. Walkers did ask them to leave. I didn’t fact check if that was the case, but I’m also not writing an article and would hope the author did their due diligence before hurting a local business
“Dear Walker’s Community,
We want to address a situation that occurred last night involving two separate groups of patrons. One group brought in a sign with political language that does not reflect the values of Walker’s. The sign was not approved by staff, was addressed promptly, and ultimately removed.
Unfortunately, the situation escalated quickly, placing our team in the difficult position of trying to mediate and de-escalate tensions between guests. We understand and share the concerns raised by members of our community.
Let us be clear: Walker’s does not support hate speech in any form. We are committed to being a welcoming, inclusive space for all people — regardless of background, identity, or belief.
To help maintain this environment, we are updating our policy to prohibit any political signage or displays inside the establishment. Any such materials will result in the guest being asked to leave.
We appreciate your support and understanding as we work to ensure Walker’s remains a safe and respectful space for everyone.”
This is all so silly. You can think what you think of Israel (or choose an issue). Great. I’m eating a cheese burger. Take your politics and your views and your sign and go someplace else. And we all know what happened here at Walker’s. No one on the staff got in the way of this (I don’t blame them, it’s not their job) and after some time passed, people took photos and posted it. I’d love to know who those people are in that photo. Maybe we can go to where they eat and live and bring our own signs.
Proud Zionist Jew here, and proud Tribecan. I was outraged by the photo, and was prepared to join the boycott, but I accept the apology from Walker’s (with relief) and hope we can all put this behind us.
Am Yisrael chai.
Imagine going to Walkers to make a political stance – whether it’s pro or anti-Zionist – or BLM or anti BLM – a neighborhood establishment like Walkers? And to make matter worse – making the staff uncomfortable and putting them on the spot?
OBNOXIOUS
For Shame
This is so stupid like who has time to be part of the StopDontShop group. Like get a life. Like are we part of the he-man women haters club.