Discussion at New York Synagogue Sparks Controversy Over Support for Israeli Policies in Gaza

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:48:00 +0200

A recent event at New York’s Park Avenue Synagogue has generated significant controversy after Benjamin Anthony, an Israeli advocate, presented arguments supporting the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Speaking to an audience of American Jews, Anthony suggested that international pressure, particularly from Egypt, could relocate Gaza’s population to the Sinai Peninsula and potentially further into Africa. His proposals were largely unchallenged by the hosting rabbi, Eliot Cosgrove, who offered only mild critique. Anthony linked his call for support to broader geopolitical issues, emphasizing the importance of U.S.-Israeli alignment and the continuation of military efforts against Iran. The article notes that the American press often refrains from covering such extreme Israeli views, and compares Anthony’s reception to the treatment of critics like journalist Helen Thomas. Some American Jewish groups, including non-Zionist and liberal Zionist organizations, oppose these po