Texas Gov. Greg Abbott praised the decision to cancel the “Seize the Moment: US Campaign for Palestinian Rights National Conference” scheduled from Oct. 27 to Oct. 29 at a Hilton in Houston.
“Hilton Hotels in Houston was correct to pull the plug on the US Campaign for Palestine Rights event hosted by Hamas supporters,” Abbott, a Republican, wrote on social media. “Texas has no room for hate & antisemitism like that supported by Hamas. No location in Texas should host or sponsor USCPR.”
The hotel said in a statement that due to “escalating security concerns in the current environment, the hotel has determined that it cannot serve as the venue for this event because of the potential risks to our team members and guests.”
Speakers for the event included keynote Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.); political activist Linda Sarsour; Diala Shamas, a lawyer at the leftist Center for Constitutional Rights; and Marc Lamont Hill, the former CNN commentator fired after advocating for the elimination of Israel.
Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the BDS movement who has declared the elimination of Israel as his goal, was also scheduled to address attendees via video.
The US Campaign for Palestinian Rights issued an “emergency” call on Thursday to stop the “Gaza genocide.” The group accused the U.S. government of funding genocide.
