Pamela Geller is a bully of global standing. And recently she turned her sights on our community.
Geller is an American writer, blogger, activist and president of the American Freedom Defence Initiative, which the respected Southern Poverty Law Centre calls an anti-Muslim hate group. Her provocations came to greatest public attention when she opposed construction of an Islamic community centre in New York City that was criticized for being somewhat adjacent to the World Trade Centre site.
Somehow, earlier this month, a local Shabbat dinner discussion that was to be facilitated by a New Israel Fund of Canada representative drew her attention.
On July 8, Geller posted on her blog an article titled “United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism supports boycott against Israel.” Like almost everything else on her website, the short piece is deceptive, manipulative, unfair and false. In it, she accuses Congregation Har El in West Vancouver, which was set to host the event targeted to the under-40 crowd, of supporting “the boycott against Israel” and writes that “the traitors of New Israel Fund give information to the United Nations to harm Israel’s soldiers.…”
The New Israel Fund describes itself as the “nation’s leading organization committed to democracy and equality among all Israelis.” It supports human rights organizations in Israel, among which people of almost any political persuasion could probably find something objectionable. But NIF unequivocally does not support the boycotting of Israel. Whatever one might think of its political orientation or those of the frontline groups it funds, it is a legitimate nonprofit agency functioning under the laws of Israel. If it weren’t, the Israeli government would have shut it down.
But the legitimacy of the New Israel Fund is, at best, secondary to the larger issues here. Never mind that Geller extrapolates one event at a single synagogue to represent the views of the entire global Conservative movement – that is silliness that doesn’t warrant refutation – the fact is that Geller was able to kibosh an event in our community. Given the power of bullying in general, and the power of this bully in particular, we cannot blame the organization involved for shying away from the event, though we regret that it happened.
Two other New Israel Fund of Canada events are scheduled to take place in Vancouver in the fall. On Sept. 9, a symposium featuring Ronit Heyd, executive director of Shatil, and Jonathan Kay, editor-in-chief of The Walrus magazine, will engage with the audience on the topic The Backstory: Behind What You Know About Israel. On Nov. 16-17, Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israel Religious Action Centre, will tackle the topic From the Back of the Bus to the Top of the Agenda.
Any external threats to these events proceeding should be met by our community with a united voice – regardless of our political views. It is our community’s right to discuss whatever issues we deem important – and to determine where the limits, if any, of that discussion lay.
Kol HaKavod to the Jewish Independent for standing up and saying ‘not in our town’ to the bullying of the New Israel Fund of Canada by social media terrorist Pamela Geller.
New Israel Fund is an anti-Israel, far-left wing group that is dedicated to maligning the State of Israel and the IDF. The Israeli government has tried to curtail their activities inside Israel due to this for some time now.
They are also extremely anti-religious, never missing a chance to support individuals and groups whose sole purpose is the desecration of the Torah.
Why any shul or Jewish organization would host them is beyond me. If you want to hear why Israel is a racist, theocratic, sexist, apartheid state then head over to the SPHR meeting.
Pamela Geller is outspoken and doesn’t mince words. She managed to get posters on the bus calling the Jihadist savages. She is right. The Name New Israel Fund is misleading and often the misinformed naively donate to this Fund. But this Fund is definitely anti Israel, pro Palestinian, supports the Boycott.
Pamela Geller knowledge is based on sound facts, and she knows how to face up to critics,(CNN Interview) she may offend many persons who have been brainwashed by Arab propaganda, and those who believe that everything has to be so politically correct, so as G-d forbid our words may offend certain subversive minorities. IN the USA, they debate the issue of using the phrase In G-d We Trust, Flying the Stars and Stripes, or using the phrase Christian Charity. Thank G-d Canada has not reached that stage. But we do have such groups such as the Independent Jewish Voices….
Pamela Geller is a brave woman, almost prophetic, and her words should be taken very seriously.
To Rabbi DAN MOSKOVITZ:
Kol HaKavod to the Jewish Independent for standing up and saying ‘”not in our town’ to the bullying of the New Israel Fund of Canada by social media terrorist Pamela Geller.” Where did it say not in our town?
A special thanks to Cynthia, editor of this excellent newpaper.
The rabbi is referring to the editorial, in which we state “It is our community’s right to discuss whatever issues we deem important – and to determine where the limits, if any, of that discussion lay.” i.e. the decisions as to what we discuss, and how, is not up to those “not in our town.”