Great Neck Synagogue in suburban New York canceled a planned appearance by Islam critic Pamela Geller, citing security concerns.
Three days before the April 14 talk featuring Geller, the Long Island synagogue posted a letter on its website from its executive board explaining why the event had been called off.
“As the notoriety and media exposure of the planned program this Sunday have increased, so has the legal liability and potential security exposure of our institution and its member families,” the statement said. “In an era of heightened security concerns, it is irresponsible to jeopardize the safety of those who call Great Neck Synagogue home, especially our children, even at the risk of diverting attention from a potentially important voice in the ongoing debate.”
Geller has been criticized by groups such as the Anti-Defamation League and others for her harsh comments about Islam.
According to the New York Jewish Week, counterprotests in support of Geller had been planned for outside the Orthodox synagogue.
Geller said opposition to her talk stemmed from the desperation of “leftist and Islamic supremacist groups,” according to the Jewish Week. — jta