In a recent interview with Zev Brenner, Gidon Katz, the organizer of a real estate event in Israel, shed light on the circumstances leading to the cancellation of the event in Brooklyn after facing local pushback and security concerns.
Scheduled to take place in a synagogue in the Flatbush-Midwood area, the event aimed to promote real estate in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a topic deemed “contentious” by both United States and United Nations leaders.
Local opposition quickly mounted, with nearly 4,000 people signing a petition urging elected officials to cancel the event, labeling it “immoral and unacceptable.” Protests erupted in New Jersey and Long Island in the days leading up to the Brooklyn event.
Facing mounting pressure and security threats, the hosts decided to cancel the event, citing advice from the NYPD. Katz expressed his disagreement with the decision, attributing it to the Shul succumbing to “terror.” The Shul, Khal Bnei Avrohom Yaakov, where the event was to be held, did not respond to inquiries.
Despite the cancellation, a coalition of pro-Palestinian groups claimed victory and called for a rally instead of the planned protest. The Brooklyn event was slated to be the final stop on a tour that included exhibitions in various cities, including Teaneck, New Jersey, Montreal, Toronto, and Lawrence, which had well over 400 people attending the local event at YILC.
Watch the full interview below:
YILC is in Cedarhurst.
Shame on those that capitulated to terrorism. You assume full responsibility for empowering HAMAS.
Shame on them.
What’s next cancelling davening because they say the Prayer for Israel.
Yes by about a foot and a half. Thanks Magellan😂
YILC is in Cedarhurst.
Sad events, showing strength of the pro Palistinian movement
There was a “peaceful ” demonstration in Cedarhurst Tues evening. The Nassau County police were present throughout the 5 Towns several hours before & during. Granted, this was a contained area, with horse & vehicle as well as foot patrol in Cedarhurst, not an uncontrollable situation as in Brooklyn or any other big city.
The fact that the meeting was canceled gives the Arab rabble and their compatriots a veto over pro Israel activity. They will protest seminary and Yeshiva speakers,Birthright tours.
The shtetl attitude has to end. If the police won’t protect us then hire our own armed guards
This Cancellation is an Absolute Disgrace for the Shul.
It also sounds like they Threw Rabbi David Cohen under the Bus by blaming the cancellation on his decision. Maybe you don’t recall, but there is a real war going on in Israel. A war for Israel’s Existence. A war for a place where Jews Don’t have to be afraid to be Jews. That’s What is at stake here in this Global Intifada. The question of the moment is whether You Want to Look forward and be Proud of being Jewish, or you want to Hide under the bed as your parents were being killed in the Pogrom. My Grandmother told the stories of Rabbis in the 1930’s who said, Don’t Run, they would never harm civilians. The times are changing and the future is looking like the past. The only question is which way do you want to look.
I think it’s a travesty that they cancelled the event in Flatbush. You have cow towed to the terrorists. I was at the peaceful protest in Lawrence. There was an enormous police presence, and no problems. Shame on you for cancelling!!!!
Imagine the reverse: A JDL-type organization threatening to storm a mosque that was promoting the expansion of their AlAksa Mount. Imagine also a society where a particular group of people were not able or allowed to merely congregate in their building because of their religious agenda.
You don’t have to imagine.
You’re living it.