Outside the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in New York City. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

“Innocence of Muslims” was a movie released in 2012 by a convict who has recently been released from jail. The amateurish anti-Muslim video was published online – and world leaders including President Obama, Mitt Romney, members of the Israeli government, and many others correctly condemned the extreme video. This offensive footage caused protests and violence and reportedly led to the deaths of at least 50 people.

Rather than protest civilly or file legal suits, the Muslim world erupted in violence and issued fatwas. Violent demonstrations in Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen, and other countries occurred. Protesters destroyed American symbols such as a KFC franchise in Lebanon. The insult to Muslims caused worldwide chaos, and worldwide condemnations.

Fast-forward only two years later, and it’s not a fringe film-maker insulting a religion, but it’s the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center. “The Death of Klinghoffer” is planned for live performances in New York commencing in October 2014. This, despite the fact that Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager, said he had “…become convinced that there is genuine concern in the international Jewish community that the live transmission of ‘The Death of Klinghoffer’ would be inappropriate at this time of rising anti-Semitism, particularly in Europe.” They cancelled the planned international broadcast of the opera.

Apparently, the Met recognizes the danger that this opera may present, but deems it to be appropriate to stage here in New York City?  That which is not acceptable in Europe is permissible in America? What warped logic is that?

Would an opera portraying the death of Mohammad be acceptable? Does the Met think that condemning the “Innocence of Muslims” was wrong? The Metropolitan Opera issued a statement saying that the opera “looks for humanity in the terrorists.” One wonders how anyone can produce an opera about the murder of an innocent man and justify seeking his murderers’ humanity? Despicable and gross.

An American teenager was kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists in Israel recently. Will the Met also exploit that situation and seek the humanity of the abductors. Terror knows no boundaries – and “Death of Klinghoffer” must be cancelled.