ARCHITECT OF ISRAEL'S JUDICIAL COUP JEERED AT HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CEREMONY IN NEW YORK

Architect of Israel's Judicial Coup Jeered at Holocaust Memorial Ceremony in New York

Ceremony was disrupted by a group of Israeli expats outraged by the presence of Simcha Rothman – a lawmaker from the far-right Religious Zionism party – among the guests of honor

May 07th, 04AM May 07th, 04AM

A Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony held in New York on Monday evening was disrupted by a group of Israeli expats outraged by the presence of Simcha Rothman – a lawmaker from the far-right Religious Zionism party – among the guests of honor.

Rothman, the chair of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, was one of the key architects of the government plan to eviscerate the judiciary that had torn Israeli society apart before October 7.

The poster advertising the government-sponsored event, which was held in Riverside Park right near Columbia University, did not publicize the fact that Rothman would be in attendance.

But when Israelis living in Manhattan learned that he was present, they quickly mobilized and headed to the event where they jeered Rothman loudly.

Last year, whenever he would travel to New York, Rothman would be hounded by opponents of the judicial coup, who would chase him down the streets. In one famous incident, he grabbed a bullhorn out of the hands of a protester.

The speakers at the Holocaust memorial ceremony included Israeli ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan, newly appointed Consul-General in New York Ofir Akunis, and Israel-America Council CEO Elan Carr. IAC, which represents Israeli-Americans, is largely supported by right-wing donors.

"We shouted at him like crazy before, during and after the event," said Shany Granot-Lubaton, a leader of the protest group in New York that sprang into action after the judicial overhaul plan was unveiled and was closely aligned with the pro-democracy protest movement in Israel.

"We cried out against his hypocrisy and against the bloody governing coalition in which he participates. We also demanded an immediate hostage deal."

Members of the Israeli expat community in New York will hold a demonstration outside the consulate on Tuesday morning demanding a ceasefire and an immediate hostage deal. The rally is expected to draw a larger crowd than usual as member of the community who have thus far refrained from calling for a ceasefire have been advertising the event.

2024-05-07T01:26:22Z dg43tfdfdgfd