Says Follow-Up Decision Sends Important Message That Future Events Will Not Be Canceled Based On Celebration or History of the Jewish State

New York, NY, August 17, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the reinstatement of an event at the Queens Museum to mark the anniversary of a historic U.N. vote leading to the establishment of the State of Israel. To mark the 70th anniversary of the 1947 U.N. Partition Plan, the Israel Mission to the U.N. had organized a reenactment at the actual site of the vote. The museum, which had earlier agreed to host the event, canceled it this week, purportedly citing a museum board decision not to host a “political event.”

Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:

We were shocked when we learned of reports that the Queens Museum had reneged on their agreement to host an event celebrating the founding of the State of Israel. While we were troubled and concerned over the museums’ initial decision, their follow-up action sends an important message that future events will not be canceled based on the celebration or history of the Jewish state.

We are relieved the Queens Museum has reportedly recognized the iniquity of cancelling this event and the unfortunate message it sent not just to New York’s Jewish community and Israelis across the city, but to the broader community as well.

The U.N. vote was an incredible milestone for Jews around the world, including and especially here in New York, where the historic event took place.

We appreciate the activism and support from New York City political officials who drew attention to this issue, including Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, Congresswoman Grace Meng and Councilmember Mark Levine, among others.

Upon learning of the event’s cancellation, ADL worked with organizers and museum staff to help in the reversal of the cancellation.

The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.  Today it is the world’s leading organization combating anti-Semitism, exposing hate groups, training law enforcement on hate crimes, developing anti-bias curricula for students, countering cyber-hate and relentlessly pursuing equal rights for all. Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY