Pro-Israel Conference in Texas Canceled Due to Threats
A significant pro-Israel conference planned in Texas has been called off due to “threats from violent jihadists.”
The Israel Summit, set for next Monday through Wednesday in Dallas, has faced changes in location. Organizers issued a statement citing “an indirect and direct threat” from US-based pro-Hamas and jihadist groups, who called for action against the summit.
Interestingly, anti-Israel activists claimed they had taken over the new venue, with one attendee, Luke Hilton, making these assertions.
Hilton expressed concerns saying it feels increasingly unsafe for Jews and Christians who openly support Israel. He urged law enforcement to take action by disclosing threats found on the dark web, as the summit was expected to draw around 1,000 participants.
He remarked, “The term ‘targeting’ directed at us follows the recent bombings near the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, and incidents in Colorado. It’s a clear call for violence.”
This three-day summit, organized by a pro-Israel Christian group, was supposed to host former US officials, Israeli government representatives, and survivors of the October 7 Hamas attack.
Dallas officials reported rising threat levels leading up to the summit. Josiah Hilton mentioned that new safety measures would require a significant budget, likely amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars, and the hunt for another venue.
Ultimately, although they secured a “reasonably safe location just north of Dallas” with help from local law enforcement and coordination with the Texas governor’s office, the event had to be canceled. This decision came after the Palestinian Youth Movement in Dallas released a campaign labeled “Welcome to the Genocide Summit in Texas,” particularly pointing out the venue’s association with televangelist Kenneth Copeland.
David Friedman, a former US ambassador to Israel and scheduled speaker, took to social media to comment on the situation. He stated that while law enforcement was supportive, the nature of the threats necessitated the event’s cancellation. He also referenced broader issues in the country, saying, “When the President comments on needing to restore our nation, this exemplifies his point.”
