Posted on 10/19/2014 10:56:48 PM PDT by IsraelBeach
Thousands In New York To Protest Death of Klinghoffer Opera
By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency
New York — October 20, 2014 … Over five thousand Jews and Christians are expected to turn out for a demonstration today against the opening of “The Death of Klinghoffer” Opera at New York’s Lincoln Center.
On Oct. 8, 1985, 69-year-old wheelchair-bound Leon Klinghoffer, was shot in the head by Palestinian hijackers on the Achille Lauro cruise ship.
The terrorists brutally and unceremoniously threw his body and wheelchair overboard into the Mediterranean. His body washed up on the Syrian shore a few days later.
“The four terrorists responsible for his murder will be humanized by distinguished opera singers and given a back story, an ‘explanation’ for their brutal act of terror and violence. Opera-goers will see and hear a musical examination of terrorism, the Holocaust and Palestinian claims of dispossession — all in fewer than three hours,” said daughters Lisa and Ilsa Klinghoffer.
“Our father was one of the first American victims of Middle Eastern terrorism. Today with the memory of 9/11, the reality of al-Qaida, Hamas and ISIS, and countless other attacks and threats, Americans live under the deadly threat of terrorism each and every day.
Terrorism is irrational. It should never be explained away or justified. Nor should the death of innocent civilians be misunderstood as an acceptable means for drawing attention to perceived political grievances. Unfortunately, ‘The Death of Klinghoffer’ does all of this and sullies the memory of our father in the process.”
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will lead a press conference followed by a demonstration outside of the opening of “The Death of Klinghoffer” which is expected to premier at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center on Monday evening, October 20 at 5:00 PM.
Additional confirmed participants include Congressman Peter King, Former NY Governor David Paterson, Criminal Defense Attorney Ben Brafman, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and Rabbi Joseph Potasnik.
Giuliani famously expelled Yasir Arafat from a concert for world leaders at Lincoln Center in 1995, explaining he could never forgive Arafat’s acts of terror.
As the Mayor famously said, “I would not invite Yasir Arafat to anything, anywhere, anytime, anyplace. He has never been held to answer for the murders that he was implicated in.”
Following the press conference, a coalition of organizations will gather, as thousands are expected to raise a voice of outrage against this opera which promotes terrorism and anti-Semitism.
Rabbi Avi Weiss and a group of Rabbinical leaders will hold a fast and prayer and vigil across from the Met beginning at 12:00 PM in memory of Leon Klinghoffer’s soul, being desecrated by the opera.
This is the continuation of a series of efforts opposing Lincoln Center’s decision to air this play.
There will be a press conference at Lincoln Center on Monday evening, October 20th at 5:00 PM, across the street from the Lincoln Center Plaza at Broadway & 65th Street to protest the first evening that “The Death of Klinghoffer” will be shown at the Metropolitan Opera.
The threat of protests has created fears that the scene could explode into chaos or violence, Met director Peter Gelb said.
“It’s been a steady diet of e-mails, phone calls and letters for a couple of months now,” Gelb told the Sunday Times of London.
“The people who don’t want this opera to be performed are not silly; they are very angry.”
The opera features anti-Semitic language and at times tells the story from the terrorists’ perspective.
One aria in the show declares: “You are always complaining of your suffering, but wherever poor men are gathered they can find Jews getting fat.”
Protesters plan to set up 100 wheelchairs at the base of the entrance to the Met while wearing signs that proclaim, “I am Leon Klinghoffer,” said organizer Jeffrey Wiesenfeld.
“This opera is not just anti-Semitic but there is gratuitous anti-Semitism that is repeated and repeated,” Wiesenfeld slammed.
“This is a game-changer.”
Protestors will hold American flags and have wheelchairs to illustrate the plight of 69-year old New-Yorker Leon Klinghoffer, who was murdered by terrorists of the Palestine Liberation Front (PFLF).
Sponsoring organizations include the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Jewish War Veterans of the US, Zionist Organization of America, AFSI, AMCHA, Israel News Agency, Catholic League, Christians’ Israel Public Action Campaign (CIPAC), Congregation Ohab Zedek, Edmond J. Safra Synagogue, Lincoln Square Synagogue, RAJE, One Israel Fund, Stand With Us, Strength to Strength, Westchester High School.
Makes one wonder who this mentally challenged idiot is who came up with the idea of making this tragic incident in to an opera. Amazing to say the least...
Pretty sick.
Pro-Mohammadan propaganda should be swiftly shut down.
It is an idiotic idea.
Reminds me of the one excuse given for the murder of the teenage girls in the pizzaria, “he was scared.”
The lefties later portrayed that as a “brave” act.
So by the terrorist supporters own admission, the mad dogs are terrified by girls, and old men in wheelchairs.
Wonder how “heroic” they will make this out to be?
*baaaaaaaaaarf!*
Was that an Abu Nidal or Mohammed Abbas act?
Those terrs seem quaint compared to those who behead toddlers
I recall poor Klinghoffer....I remember thinking what cowards
That is why the Liberals would never offend a Muslim.
About 45% of the American population are mentally challenged idiots.
We are surrounded by them.
Actually, I do think they are afraid of girls.
They seem terrified of the idea that women might be their equal...and in some cases their superiors. Their little twisted minds just can’t take it.
Them’s some weird people!
Got to be end of days.
Very true.
I remember Mr. Klinghoffer. What a terrible, senseless thing those animal moslems did to him. To make a joke of it, as this “opera” does is beyond an atrocity.
Operas are all about tragic incidents.
Most operas have a body count.
Granted, the subjects of most are purely fictional, legendary, or, even in their time, ancient history.
With some notable exceptions, such as La Traviata, which though thinly veiled, opened just a few years after the real world tragedy on which it is based.
Its not wrong on the face of it to base such a work on recent events. The complaint in this case I suppose is that either the terrorists are seen sympathetically or the victim isnt.
Well, it’s certainly in bad taste if nothing else!
PLF led by Abu Abbas
No response from NY’s muslim community? Guess they will attend the opera to show their support for muslim terrorists.
Just for the general FYI, wikipedia has an entry for it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Death_of_Klinghoffer#Performance_history
Apparently this play has been around for a long time (1991). Seems to be in very bad taste to me.
Your comment made me curious so I looked up the answer. I was very surprised to find that it is someone I went to high school with. I have only a vague notion of his career since then, so my comment is based on how I remember him. Rather than being a mentally challenged idiot he seemed more like a genius. I remember him as being extremely intelligent, talented, and entertaining and also a very friendly and nice person.
I wonder if any tax-dollars went to this “opera”?
>> Rather than being a mentally challenged idiot he seemed more like a genius.
Branding the idiot is more about derision than intelligence as far as I’m concerned.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.