SAFA- The closure of several branches of a US restaurant group co-founded by Israeli chef Michael Solomonov has sparked debate in the United States, with pro-Palestinian activists linking the move to boycott campaigns targeting businesses associated with Israel.

The Philadelphia-based CookNSolo restaurant group announced the closure of six locations operating under its Goldie and Federal Donuts & Chicken brands, both of which were co-founded by Solomonov and are known for serving dishes inspired by Israeli cuisine.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, CookNSolo co-founder Steve Cook said economic factors had affected the restaurants' performance, denying that the closures were related to boycott campaigns.

Pro-Palestinian activists, however, said that boycott efforts played a significant role in the decline in customer traffic. They say the brands' association with figures who publicly support Israel led many customers to withdraw their patronage.

The closures follow pro-Palestinian demonstrations outside Goldie in Philadelphia in December 2024, during which protesters accused the restaurant of supporting Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

Solomonov's businesses are not the only Israeli-owned or Israel-linked food establishments in the United States to face public criticism. Other chains, including Tatte Bakery & Café, have also been the subject of online campaigns and demonstrations.

The Boycott CookNSolo campaign, which operates through social media, claims that boycott efforts have significantly affected the group's sales, saying that media coverage has largely overlooked the impact of consumer boycotts on the restaurant closures.

The controversy reflects a broader trend of growing boycott campaigns targeting Israel-linked businesses since the start of the genocidal war in Gaza.