WJC President Lauder urges CUNY to replace Linda Sarsour as commencement speaker

NEW YORK - World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder is calling on the City University of New York to rescind its invitation to Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour to speak at its Graduate School of Public Health’s commencement ceremony on June 1.
 
“Linda Sarsour is an extreme and virulent critic of Israel, who strongly supports the delegitimization of the Jewish state, associates with known terrorists, and defends Palestinian acts of violence against Jews. She has made clear her belief that sending children to throw rocks at Israelis is a ‘definition of courage’ and has publicly stated her sentiment that ‘nothing is creepier than Zionism.’  Her advocacy for human rights seem to apply to anybody but Jews, and her opposition to the State of Israel and its supporters rings loudly of anti-Semitism,” Lauder said.
 
“It is incumbent upon the City University of New York, as a public institution funded by taxpayers, to be prudent in its choice of commencement speaker and strive to ensure that any guest it honors adhere to its community standards and show due respect to all individuals and groups, without bias,” Lauder added.
 
“CUNY must not provide a stage for a person who perpetuates anti-Semitism and discrimination, or who advocates for violence of any kind, be it directly or indirectly. We urge CUNY to rescind its invitation to Linda Sarsour and find a commencement speaker worthy of speaking to its graduates,” Lauder concluded.