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Monday, December 9, 2024
US Conservative synagogue denies nixing event with Gallant over Gaza war
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A prominent US Conservative synagogue in Washington, DC, has reportedly canceled an event hosting former defense minister Yoav Gallant due to pushback from congregants over Israel’s prosecution of the war in Gaza.
UPDATE: Adas Israel subsequently issues statement denying that cancellation was politically motivated.
Those who registered for the “exclusive conversation on Israel’s multifront security challenges” at Adas Israel were informed yesterday that it would not take place, The Forward reports.
The synagogue did not immediately respond to The Forward’s request for comment.
Adas member Benjamin Temchine tells the left-wing Jewish news site that he met with one of the synagogue’s rabbis on Friday to raise his opposition to hosting Gallant.
“I don’t see Adas opening the door to [Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich. I don’t see them opening the door to [National Security Minister Itamar] Ben Gvir. How is Gallant different?” Temchine says.
Temchine says he knew of at least 10 other members who feel the same way he did.
Gallant was fired last month, with Smotrich, Ben Gvir and many others in the government accusing him of leading insufficiently offensive policies regarding the war’s prosecution.
The Times of Israel Community.