Why Is a New York State Non-Profit Hosting Linda Sarsour?
by Ronn Torossian
In New York, state agencies cannot do business with any institution or company that supports the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. As New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has said, “If you boycott Israel, New York will boycott you.”
So why has a New York state non-profit — the Henry Street Settlement — announced that Linda Sarsour will speak at its annual Lillian Wald Symposium on Tuesday, May 16.
Founded in 1893 by social work and public health pioneer Lillian Wald, and located on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the Henry Street Settlement delivers a wide range of social services, arts and health care programs to more than 60,000 New Yorkers each year. Major donors to Henry Street include the New York City Council, New York State Assembly, JP Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, American Express and Citibank.
Linda Sarsour is, of course, an anti-Israel, pro-BDS activist. Sarsour has said that Zionists cannot be feminists, and is an open opponent of the State of Israel.
As Haaretz has reported:
Sarsour’s history of criticizing Israel and Muslims who cooperate with Israel-related organizations dates back years. In 2015, shortly after the Shalom Hartman Institute created the Muslim Leadership Initiative … Sarsour tweeted her opposition.
Furthermore, as I’ve previously written, Sarsour has also noted that she “believes in a one-state solution” (which ultimately means the end of Israel), and has said that “nothing is creepier than Zionism.” Furthermore, Sarsour has advocated violence against Israeli soldiers. She once posted a photo of a Palestinian throwing a rock at Israeli soldiers, and labeled it “the definition of courage.”
The Henry Street Settlement must rescind its invitation to Sarsour, or its non-profit status must be examined.