A planned fundraiser featuring Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir at the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn was abruptly called off on Friday, not long after the event was first publicized.
The event, organized by Beis Shmuel Chabad—a Crown Heights shul—and intended to raise funds for Chabad of Hebron, was quickly removed from promotional sites after the Jewish Telegraphic Agency published a report about it. Attendees who had expressed interest were informed that the event would no longer take place.
Speaking to Haaretz, one of the event’s organizers attributed the cancellation to “unforeseen changes in the minister’s schedule.”
Beis Shmuel Chabad, which practices Chabad customs but is not officially tied to the global Chabad-Lubavitch movement headquartered in Crown Heights, and Chabad of Hebron, which is affiliated with the movement, did not provide comments regarding the cancellation when asked.
A representative for Chabad-Lubavitch stated that they were not aware of any additional meetings scheduled between Ben-Gvir and Chabad leadership during his visit to the United States.
The Brooklyn fundraiser had been among the few confirmed public appearances for Ben-Gvir on his first official visit to the U.S. Additional events featuring the minister are reportedly being coordinated by Shabtai, a Jewish group based at Yale University. According to Rabbi Shmully Hecht, Shabtai intends to host Ben-Gvir at events in New Haven, on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and possibly in Washington, D.C.
Ben-Gvir’s visit is drawing intense attention due to his far-right political positions. Known for his admiration of Rabbi Meir Kahane, Ben-Gvir has previously been convicted of aiding a terrorist organization. His party, Otzma Yehudit, has generated controversy for its positions advocating the expulsion of “disloyal” Arabs, annexation of Judea and Samaria, and reestablishing Jewish communities in Gaza.
Ben-Gvir’s inclusion in Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s coalition at the end of 2022 triggered backlash from numerous American Jewish organizations and reportedly led the Biden administration to consider restricting his entry into the U.S.
Despite plans by his office for stops in New York, Washington, and Miami, several prominent American Jewish organizations informed JTA they would not engage with him during his tour.
However, at least one additional private gathering involving Ben-Gvir and Jewish leaders in the U.S. is reportedly in the works. Ross Glick, a Jewish public relations executive and former member of the right-wing Zionist group Betar US, confirmed he plans to attend an event but declined to share any specifics and noted he is not involved in its planning.
Meanwhile, activists opposing Ben-Gvir’s visit welcomed news of the cancellation. Offir Gutelzon, a representative of the protest group UnXeptable, released a statement expressing satisfaction with the development.
“Our coalition against Ben-Gvir and Kahanism grows day by day,” Gutelzon said. “Itamar Ben-Gvir does not represent Judaism, Israel, or our community. He is beyond the pale.” A petition against Ben-Gvir’s U.S. tour, circulated by Gutelzon, has drawn signatures from several left-leaning Jewish groups as well as supporters of families of Israeli hostages.

{Matzav.com}