BREAKING NEWS

Citing playwright’s BDS ties, Toronto federation cuts links to event

By JTA

MARCH 24, 2016 08:11

The local Jewish federation has dissociated itself from an event taking place in May at one its beneficiary agencies, the Koffler Center of the Arts, featuring controversial American playwright Tony Kushner.

In a March 21 statement, the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto noted, after “thoughtful consideration,” that Kushner is a member of the advisory board of Jewish Voice for Peace, “an organization that supports boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel.”

Though Kushner “has publicly stated that he does not support the BDS movement, UJA Federation has concerns about [his] association with JVP, and we will not support an event where there is any link to organizations supporting BDS.

“Therefore, we are disassociating ourselves from this particular event involving Mr. Kushner, although we remain strongly supportive of the Koffler Center of the Arts.”

In response, the arts center called it “very fortunate that Tony Kushner, one of the world’s greatest living playwrights and certainly among the most significant thinkers of our time, has accepted our invitation to visit Toronto for an evening.”

Philippines Marcos says threat of assassination 'troubling'

By REUTERS

11/25/2024 07:15 AM

Russia says it downs seven Ukrainian missiles over Kursk region

By REUTERS

11/25/2024 06:16 AM

Uruguay's center-left secures presidential victory with 49%

By REUTERS

11/25/2024 05:31 AM

Australia PM plays down privacy fears of social media ban for children

By REUTERS

11/25/2024 04:58 AM