Florida venue cancels Tlaib rally after lawmaker calls it 'anti-Jew' event

The Venue Fort Lauderdale has canceled a rally scheduled to feature US Representative Rashida Tlaib, citing "increased security concerns." The decision followed a protest by Florida State Representative Michael Gottlieb, who chairs the Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus.

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increased security concerns

Gottlieb had publicly stated that the planned rally was an 'anti-Jew' event, highlighting the irony that the venue, which he noted is Jewish-owned and hosts numerous Bar/Bat mitzvah celebrations, would host such a gathering. The Venue confirmed its Jewish ownership and stated that its values and commitment to the Jewish community are paramount, adding that booking a venue should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

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our values and commitment to the Jewish community are deeply important to us.

The rally, organized by groups including the Florida Youth Justice Coalition and Gen-Z For Change, aimed to support candidates challenging incumbent pro-Israel Democrats. These candidates and organizations advocate for policies such as ending military aid to Israel and supporting Palestinian rights. Tlaib, a Palestinian-American congresswoman, has been a vocal critic of Israel's policies.

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We want to be unequivocally clear that the acceptance of a venue booking should never be interpreted as an endorsement.

Rashida Tlaib is campaigning against Debbie Wasserman Schultz, while other candidates supported by the rally include Elijah Manley and Oliver Larkin, running against Jared Moskowitz and Alexander Vindman, respectively. Gottlieb specifically pointed to Tlaib's "deepest record of antisemitic allegations" as a reason for his objection.

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many Jews host Bar/Bat mitzvah celebrations at the Venue, I’ve attended several myself.