Philly Mayor Should Cancel 'Palestine Day'

From the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America:

The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Zionist Organization of America calls on Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker to cease facilitating and participating in anti-Jewish, anti-Israel activities that endanger the Jewish People and misrepresent historic and current events. We have sent Mayor Parker a letter asking her to cancel an event, withdraw her proclamation and put an end to the city’s official anti-Jewish activity.

 

On Nov.24, Mayor Parker is scheduled to host the “5th Annual Philadelphia Palestine Day” event in the Mayor’s Reception Room in City Hall and issue a proclamation in support. This is five days prior to “International Day of Solidarity with the ‘Palestinian’ People,” an annual United Nations event to in-effect delegitimize the UN’s authorization of the Jewish state of Israel. UN Resolution 181, approved Nov. 29, 1947, called for a Jewish state and an Arab state – a two-state solution” in British Mandate Palestine. The Arab League rejected the proposal while the Jews accepted it.

 

We have observed Palestinians and their supporters holding signs and wearing garb and jewelry in Philadelphia that depict all of Israel as “Palestine,” clearly showing a desire to eliminate the Jewish state of Israel. The Jewish state of Israel is a friend and indispensable ally of the United States. Zionism is the Jewish People’s self-determination movement and central to Judaism.

 

Philadelphia’s libraries, under the jurisdiction of Mayor Parker, frequently host events targeting children that reject the Jewish state of Israel. Officials and teachers in the School District of Philadelphia – which Mayor Parker is directly responsible for (she appoints the school board)  –indoctrinate students with anti-Israel propaganda.

 

In addition, Mayor Parker allows those who celebrate the murder of Jews and who call for more such violence to use Philadelphia City Hall grounds to foment even more Jew-hatred. Since when is the promotion and condoning of murder and violence acceptable in the City of Brotherly Love?

 

In a period of unprecedented levels of anti-Jewish attacks, persecution and violence – including murders – Mayor Parker must speak out against haters and their hatred and lies, not foment it.

 

We understand there is a significant and influential Arab community in Philadelphia, and we understand that Arabs are part of the tapestry of Philadelphia – as are Jews. Yet by celebrating “Palestine Day in Philadelphia” around Nov. 29, it sends an ominous message: A direct attack against the city’s Jews, our rights and our history.

 

Mayor Parker: We ask that you: Cancel the Nov. 24 event in your Reception Room, withdraw your proclamation, stop schools from teaching material that is both anti-fact and anti-Jewish, and stop allowing the libraries to warp young minds and foment Jew-hatred! Stop the Jew-Hatred BEFORE there is a calamity here!

 

Greater Philadelphia ZOA welcomes an opportunity to discuss these matters with Mayor Parker. For a copy of our letter to Mayor Parker, or to interview a Greater Philadelphia ZOA representative, please contact Executive Director Steve Feldman at 610-660-9466 or office@zoaphilly.org