The demonstration against the Klinghoffer Opera in New York yesterday was excellent, but many Jewish organizations are not responding and when they do their response is weak.
"The Death of Klinghoffer" is NOT free speech nor art.
It is incitement which can and will encourage more acts of terrorism against Israel and Jews worldwide.
New York — October 20, 2014 … Over four thousand Jews and Christians turned out for a demonstration today against the opening of “The Death of Klinghoffer” Opera at New York’s Lincoln Center.
On Oct. 8, 1985, 69-year-old wheelchair-bound Leon Klinghoffer, was shot in the head by Palestinian hijackers on the Achille Lauro cruise ship. The terrorists brutally and unceremoniously threw his body and wheelchair overboard into the Mediterranean. His body washed up on the Syrian shore a few days later.
“The four terrorists responsible for his murder will be humanized by distinguished opera singers and given a back story, an ‘explanation’ for their brutal act of terror and violence. Opera-goers will see and hear a musical examination of terrorism, the Holocaust and Palestinian claims of dispossession — all in fewer than three hours,” said daughters Lisa and Ilsa Klinghoffer.
“Our father was one of the first American victims of Middle Eastern terrorism. Today with the memory of 9/11, the reality of al-Qaida and ISIS, and countless other attacks and threats, Americans live under the deadly threat of terrorism each and every day.
Terrorism is irrational. It should never be explained away or justified. Nor should the death of innocent civilians be misunderstood as an acceptable means for drawing attention to perceived political grievances. Unfortunately, ‘The Death of Klinghoffer’ does all of this and sullies the memory of our father in the process.”
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani led a press conference followed by a demonstration outside of the opening of “The Death of Klinghoffer” which premiered at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center on Monday evening, October 20 at 5:00 PM.
Additional participants included Congressman Peter King, Former NY Governor David Paterson, Criminal Defense Attorney Ben Brafman, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik.
Giuliani famously expelled Yasir Arafat from a concert for world leaders at Lincoln Center in 1995, explaining he could never forgive Arafat’s acts of terror. As the Mayor famously said, “I would not invite Yasir Arafat to anything, anywhere, anytime, anyplace. He has never been held to answer for the murders that he was implicated in.”
Following the press conference, a coalition of organizations gathered, as thousands raised a voice of outrage against this opera which promotes terrorism and anti-Semitism.
Rabbi Avi Weiss and a group of Rabbinical leadersheld a fast and prayer and vigil across from the Met beginning at 12:00 PM in memory of Leon Klinghoffer’s soul, being desecrated by the opera.
This is the continuation of a series of efforts opposing Lincoln Center’s decision to air this play.
There was a press conference at Lincoln Center on Monday evening, October 20th at 5:00 PM, across the street from the Lincoln Center Plaza at Broadway & 65th Street to protest the first evening that “The Death of Klinghoffer” will be shown at the Metropolitan Opera.
The threat of protests has created fears that the scene could explode into chaos or violence, Met director Peter Gelb said.
“It’s been a steady diet of e-mails, phone calls and letters for a couple of months now,” Gelb told the Sunday Times of London. “The people who don’t want this opera to be performed are not silly; they are very angry.”
The opera features anti-Semitic language and at times tells the story from the terrorists’ perspective.
One aria in the show declares: “You are always complaining of your suffering, but wherever poor men are gathered they can find Jews getting fat.”
Protesters plan to set up 100 wheelchairs at the base of the entrance to the Met while wearing signs that proclaim, “I am Leon Klinghoffer,” said organizer Jeffrey Wiesenfeld.
“This opera is not just anti- Semitic but there is gratuitous anti-Semitism that is repeated and repeated,” Wiesenfeld slammed. “This is a game-changer.”
Protestors will hold American flags and have wheelchairs to illustrate the plight of 69-year old New-Yorker Leon Klinghoffer, who was killed by terrorists of the Palestine Liberation Front (PFLF). Sponsoring organizations include the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Jewish War Veterans of the US, Zionist Organization of America, AFSI, AMCHA, Israel News Agency, Catholic League, Christians’ Israel Public Action Campaign (CIPAC), Congregation Ohab Zedek, Edmond J. Safra Synagogue, Lincoln Square Synagogue, RAJE, One Israel Fund, Stand With Us, Strength to Strength, Westchester High School.
IN THE TOTAL ABSENCE of any word coming from President Obama, I am sending this short, recommended speech to be broadcast from the White House:
"Good evening. My fellow Americans, it is with profound sorrow that I send my deepest condolences to the family of Steven Sotloff. To all Americans who have suffered at the hands of Islamic terrorism. OK, I said it. Islamic terrorism. I tried my very best since I was elected to reach out to the global Muslim community in peace. I have failed in this attempt to arrest their quest for a global Jihad.
Just a few minutes ago, I ordered the Joint Chiefs to attack and destroy every ISIS base in the Middle East. Let us pray for the safety of our troops. Let us pray for all good people everywhere, to embrace peace over war, embrace love over hate. To practice respect and tolerance for all races and religions.
Good night and god bless the United States of America."
Sec.-Lt. Hadar Goldin, 23, of Kfar Saba, was killed in battle in Gaza on August 1.
Major Benaya Sarel, 26, of Kiryat Arba, an officer in the Givati Brigade was killed on August 1 during clashes with terrorists in southern Gaza.
St.-Sgt. Liel Gidoni, 20, of Jerusalem, a soldier in the Givati Brigade was killed on August 1 during clashes with terrorists in southern Gaza.
Sergeant First Class (res.) Daniel Marash, 22, of Rishon Lezion, a reservist combat soldier in the Armored Corps was killed in a Hamas mortar attack in the Eshkol region on July 31, 2014.
Capt. (res.) Liran Adir (Edry), 31, of Ezuz, a reservist combat soldier in the Armored Corpswas killed in a Hamas mortar attack in the Eshkol region on July 31, 2014.
St.-Sgt. Noam Rosenthal, 20, of Meitar. a combat soldier in the Armored Corps was killed in a Hamas mortar attack in the Eshkol region on July 31, 2014.
Capt. Omri Tal, 22, of Yehud, a combat soldier in the Armored Corps was killed in a Hamas mortar attack in the Eshkol region on July 31, 2014.
St.-Sgt. Shay Kushnir, 20, of Kiryat Motzkin,a combat soldier in the Armored Corps was killed in a Hamas mortar attack in the Eshkol region on July 31, 2014.
St.-Sgt. Guy Algranati, 20, of Tel Aviv was killed in a booby-trapped tunnel shaft in southern Gaza on July 30. He served in the elite Maglan infantry unit.
St.-Sgt. Omer Hay, 21, of Savyon was killed in a booby-trapped tunnel shaft in southern Gaza on July 30. He served in the elite Maglan infantry unit.
St.-Sgt. Matan Gotlib, 21, of Rishon Lezion was killed in a booby-trapped tunnel shaft in southern Gaza on July 30. He served in the elite Maglan infantry unit.
Sergeant Daniel Kedmi, 18, of Tzofim, killed in an attempted infiltration into Israel on Monday via a cross-border tunnel from Gaza, on July 28.
Sergeant Barkai Yishai Shor, 21, of Jerusalem, killed in an attempted infiltration into Israel on Monday via a cross-border tunnel from Gaza, on July 28.
Sergeant Sagi Erez, 19, of Kiryat Ata, killed in an attempted infiltration into Israel on Monday via a cross-border tunnel from Gaza, on July 28.
Sergeant Dor Deri, 18, killed in an attempted infiltration into Israel on Monday via a cross-border tunnel from Gaza, on July 28.
Sgt. Nadav Raimond, 19, from Shadmot Dvora, was killed in an attempted infiltration into Israel on Monday via a cross-border tunnel from Gaza, on July 28.
Corporal Niran Cohen, 20 of Tiberias. Served in the 7th Armor Brigade, killed by a mortar attack on Eshkol, on July 28.
Corporal Meidan Maymon Biton, 20 of Netivot. Served in the 7th Armored Brigade, killed by a mortar attack on Eshkol, on July 28.
St.Sgt. Eliav Eliyahu Haim Kahlon, 22 of Safed. Served in the 7th Armor Brigade, killed by a mortar attack on Eshkol, on July 28.
Sgt. First Class Adi Briga, 23 of Beit Shikma. Served in the 7th Armor Brigade, killed by a mortar attack on Eshkol, on July 28.
St.-Sgt. Moshe Davino, 20, of Jerusalem was killed in action inside Gaza on July 29.
NCO Sgt. First Class Barak Refael Degorker, 27, from Gan Yavne, was killed after he was struck by a mortar shell fired by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Captain Liad Lavi, an officer in an infantry unit, died on July 26 after he was hospitalized from wounds he had sustained in the southern Gaza Strip on July 25.
Chief Warrant Officer Rami Kahlon, 39, a non-commissioned officer serving in the Paratroopers Brigade, died after succumbing to wounds he had sustained in Gaza the week before.
Lt. Roy Peles, 21, from Tel Aviv, served in the Nahal Brigade and was killed when an anti-tank missile struck his position in Gaza early on Saturday.
St.-Sgt. Avraham Grintzvaig, 21, from Petah Tikva, served in the Nahal Brigade and was killed early on Saturday in combat in northern Gaza.
St.-Sgt. Gal Bason, 21, from Holon, served in the Engineering Corps. He was killed in the northern Gaza Strip early on Saturday.
St.-Sgt. Guy Boyland, 21, from Ginosar, a combat engineer, was killed in a firefight with Hamas gunmen on July 25 in the southern Gaza Strip.
St.-Sgt. Amit Yaori, 20, from Jerusalem, was in the Engineering Corps. He was killed on Friday in the same battle as Boyland.
St.-Sgt. Guy Levy, 21, from Kfar Vradim in northern Israel was killed in action Friday afternoon, July 25, in central Gaza while serving the Armored Corps.
NCO Master Sgt. (res.) Yair Ashkenazy, 36, from Rehovot, a reserve soldier serving in the reserves brigade of the Bahad 1 officer training base, was killed in battle in the north Gaza Strip early on the morning of July 25, 2014.
Lt. Paz Eliyahu, 22, from Kibbutz Evron, a Paratroopers officer, was killed when an explosive detonated near his position on July 23, 2014.
St.-Sgt. Li Mat, 19, from Eilat, a Paratroopers soldier, was killed when an explosive detonated near his position on July 23, 2014.
St.-Sgt. Shahar Dauber, 20, from Kibbutz Ginegar, a Paratroopers soldier, was killed when an explosive detonated near his position on July 23, 2014.
Captain Natan Cohen, 23, from Modi'in, a company commander in the Armored Corps was killed in Gaza on Tuesday, July 22. He was promoted from the rank of Lieutenant posthumously.
Captain Dmitri Levitas, 26, from Jerusalem and Geshur, was killed by sniper fire in Gaza on Tuesday, July 22. He was a company commander serving in the Armored Corps.
St.-Sgt. Evyatar Turgeman, 20, from Beit She'an, was killed on July 18 morning in a firefight with terrorists in Gaza. Turgeman served in the Paratroopers Brigade.
NCO Ohad Shemesh, 27, from Beit Elazari was killed in action on July 17 from enemy fire in the Gaza Strip.
St.-Sgt. Oded Ben Sira, 22, from Nir Etzion served in the Nahal brigade. He was killed on July 17 in clashes with terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
St.-Sgt. Jordan Bensemhoun, 22, from Ashkelon served in the Golani Brigade. He was killed on July 17 in an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
St.-Sgt. Yuval Dagan, 22, from Kfar Saba served in the Golani Brigade. He was killed on July 17 in an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
St.-Sgt. Tal Yifrah, 21, from Rishon Lezion, served in the Golani Brigade. He was killed on July 17 in an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Chief Warrant Officer Kasahun Baynesian, 39, of Netivot served in the Northern Brigade of the Gaza Division. He was one of four soldiers killed when his military jeep was hit with an anti-tank missile fired by a Gazan terrorist squad, which used a cross-border tunnel to infiltrate southern Israel on July 17.
Sec.-Lt. Yuval Haiman, 21, of Efrat, was a soldier from the Bahad 1 officer training base. He was killed on July 17 when his military jeep was hit with an anti-tank missile fired by a Gazan terrorist squad.
Sgt. Nadav Goldmacher, 23, of Beersheba soldier from the Bahad 1 training base was killed on July 17 when his military jeep was hit with an anti-tank missile fired by a Gazan terrorist squad.
Lt.-Col. Dolev Keidar, 38, of Modi'in, was commander of the Gefen Battalion of the IDF’s Bahad 1 officer training base. He was killed when his military jeep was hit with an anti-tank missile fired by a Gazan terrorist squad on July 17.
Stf.-Sgt. Shachar Tase, 20, from Pardesiya, served in the Golani Brigade and was killed when Hamas terrorists targeted his APC in Gaza.
Stf.-Sgt. Daniel Pomerantz, 20, of Kfar Azar, served in the Golani Brigade and was killed when Hamas terrorists targeted his APC in Gaza.
Sgt. Shon Mondshine, 19, of Tel Aviv, served in the Golani Brigade and was killed when Hamas terrorists targeted his APC in Gaza.
Sgt. Ben Oanounou, 19, from Ashdod, served in the Golani Brigade and was killed when Hamas terrorists targeted his APC in Gaza.
Stf.-Sgt. Oren Simcha Noah, 22, of Hoshaya, served in the Golani Brigade and was killed when Hamas terrorists targeted his APC in Gaza.
St.-Sgt. Oron Shaul, 21, from Poriyah served in the Golani Brigade and was in the infantry APC targeted by Hamas in an attack in Gaza on Sunday. St.-Sgt. Shaul's body remains unaccounted for.
St. Sgt. Moshe Malko, 20, of Jerusalem was a Golani combat soldier killed during IDF operations in the Shejaia neighborhood in Gaza on Sunday morning.
Sgt. Max Steinberg, 24, a lone soldier from Woodland Hills, California who lived in Beersheba, was killed in action overnight Sunday. Steinberg was a Golani brigade sharpshooter.
St.-Sgt. Gilad Rozenthal Yacoby, 21, of Kiryat Ono, was killed in action in Gaza on Sunday along with 12 other soldiers and officers in the Golani Brigade.
Capt. Tsvi Kaplan, 28, of Kibbutz Merav, was killed on Sunday in Gaza. Kaplan was set to become a company commander in the Golani Brigade in the coming months.
Maj. Tzafrir Bar-Or, 32, from Acre, was killed on Sunday in Gaza. Since his conscription in the IDF, Bar-Or served in the Golani Brigade through numerous conflicts in Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank.
Sgt. Nissim Sean Carmeli, 21, a lone soldier from South Padre, Texas who lived in Ra’anana and served in the Golani Brigade, was killed on Sunday.
St. Sgt. Oz Mendelovich, 21, of Atzmon in northern Israel served in Golani. He was killed on Sunday in Gaza.
2nd-Lt. Bar Rahav, 21, from Ramat Yishai served in the Combat Engineering Corps and was mortally wounded on Saturday as a result of an anti-tank missile fired at an IDF vehicle in southern Gaza.
St. Sgt. Bnaya Rubel, 20, from Holon, served in the Paratroopers 101st Battalion. He was shot dead by a terrorist in Gaza who emerged from a tunnel shaft and opened fire at soldiers.
Maj.(res.) Amotz Greenberg, 45, of Hod Hasharon was killed on Saturday morning trying to stop Hamas infiltrators who had crossed Israel’s southern border through a tunnel.
Sgt. Adar Barsano, 20, from Nahariya was killed in action on Saturday when his patrol unit encountered a Hamas terrorist cell that had infiltrated into Israel close to the Gaza border.
St.-Sgt. Eitan Barak, 20, of Herzliya was killed at around 3 a.m. on Friday morning, becoming the first fatality since the IDF ground offensive began Thursday night. A combat soldier in the Nahal Brigade, the circumstances of his death were under investigation.
