Thu Sep 12 01:36:11 UTC 2024: ## Brooklyn College Cancels Pro-Palestinian Conference, Citing Safety Concerns, but Jewish Currents Alleges Political Motivation
**NEW YORK** – A conference hosted by the left-wing magazine Jewish Currents was canceled by Brooklyn College just days before the event, with the college citing safety concerns due to roof damage. However, Jewish Currents alleges the cancellation was politically motivated, claiming the college was uncomfortable with the event’s pro-Palestinian leanings.
The conference, “Jewish Currents Live,” was set to feature a diverse lineup of speakers, including Jewish and Palestinian voices, and was expected to draw a crowd of 1,000 people. The event’s partners included prominent progressive organizations such as the Democratic Socialists of America, Jewish Voice for Peace, and IfNotNow.
Brooklyn College maintains that the cancellation was purely due to safety concerns following a roof leak that compromised the theater’s ceiling. The college insists that no political considerations were involved and that other venues at the complex were not suitable due to fire code regulations and ongoing construction.
Jewish Currents, however, argues that the college’s explanation is a pretext, pointing to the organization’s controversial pro-Palestinian stance and the potential for backlash from within the college community.
Despite the cancellation, the conference has found a new home at the Abrons Arts Center and the Angel Orensanz Center in Manhattan, where it will be held and streamed live.
The controversy surrounding the cancellation adds fuel to a growing debate over the role of arts and culture spaces in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Some critics accuse Brooklyn College of censoring pro-Palestinian views, while the college maintains its commitment to safety and neutrality.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion, highlighting the delicate balance between freedom of expression and institutional concerns.
First Piper 