The Queens Museum has reversed its decision to cancel an event marking the anniversary of the creation of Israel.

The move comes after several elected officials slammed the decision. The museum canceled a November event that would that would re-enact the 1947 United Nations vote establishing the State of Israel. The historic vote actually took place inside the museum building. It hosted the UN General Assembly between 1946 and 1950.

Officials with the Israeli mission to the UN had reportedly rented space for the event, but it was later canceled.

Among the elected officials critical of the move was City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who said in a statement, “This decision is a deeply unfortunate one that sends the wrong message to Jewish communities across New York City. The 1947 UN vote is historic, and holding this re-enactment where it actually happened matters. That’s why I believe the museum must revisit this decision and host this important event.”

After several similar statements from other leaders, the museum issued this statement saying, “While the Queens Museum has specific policies regarding space rentals, given the history of the building in which the Queens Museum is located, the Museum is reconsidering its decision and has reached out to the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations to further discuss the event later [Wednesday].”

Following the meeting, the museum released the following statement announcing that the reenactment is back on:

“After a productive conversation with Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon, the Queens Museum will work with the Israeli Mission on the proposed commemoration of the 1947 vote.”

 

Here are the full statements from several elected officials:

“The decision by the Queens Museum is puzzling and it’s bizarre that such an outstanding facility in our borough would pull the plug on a project to celebrate not just the establishment of Israel, but a key piece of Queens history.

Personally, I do not see how this project is ‘political.’ How is commemorating a major world event that took place in Queens and the U.N’s establishment of one of America’s closest allies political?

The museum and Israeli Mission already agreed to this reenactment of the U.N. vote, and planning for it was well underway before the museum backtracked. 

The museum should reverse its decision and allow the event to take place as scheduled.”

    -Rep. Grace Meng

 

“I firmly disagree with the Queens Museum's decision to deny the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nation's space request to hold a commemoration of the creation of the State of Israel. Holding the event in the very halls of the historic 1947 vote would have had a special, meaningful significance, and the denial to the request is especially disappointing.  The Queens Museum should revisit the interpretation of their own policies to ensure less discretion and more clarity for future space rental requests. As an alternative venue, I've offered Queens Borough Hall to the Mission of Israel for its upcoming commemoration this November.”

    -Borough President Melinda Katz

 

“This decision is a deeply unfortunate one that sends the wrong message to Jewish communities across New York City. The 1947 UN vote is historic, and holding this re-enactment where it actually happened matters. That’s why I believe the museum must revisit this decision and host this important event. At a time when we literally have neo-Nazis marching in American streets, when bigotry is on the rise, the Queens Museum has sent a disappointing message to New York City and the world.”

    -City Comptroller Scott Stringer

 

"The decision by the Queens Museum to cancel the Israel Independence Commemoration is a disgrace and a violation of law. It is a clear example of anti-semitism, and we will not stand for it. We demand the Queens Museum board reinstate this important ceremony. 

"We are deeply troubled that the Museum's Executive Director and President, Laura Raicovich, let her own personal support for the BDS movement infect her decisionmaking in this matter. The celebration of the vote establishing the state of Israel is a recognition of a historic turning point at the site of the Queens Museum, and is profoundly meaningful to New York’s Jewish community. She has abused the trust placed in her by the people of the City of New York, who fund the Museum as a cultural representation of Queens, the most diverse county in the United States.

“We call on the NYC Human Rights Commission to fully investigate this decision and take appropriate action to ensure that such discriminatory and unlawful conduct never happens again.” 

    -Joint statement by Council Member Rory I. Lancman and Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz 

 

Dear President and Executive Director Raicovich,

I write to urge you to reconsider the Queens Museum’s decision to cancel the Israel Independence reenactment. The museum, which was the site of the historic United Nations vote leading to the establishment of the State of Israel 70 years ago, should go on with the event as planned.

To schedule and then cancel this reenactment is to say the Queens Museum denies this historical event and stands with those who don’t acknowledge the free state of Israel. As a proud, Queens elected official and strong supporter of the state of Israel and of the museum, I am very disappointed in this decision.

The museum's programs should reflect important historical events that matter to the people of this city, and that includes honoring Israeli independence for the many Jewish people who shape Queens and New York City.

Do not deny those who want to remember and celebrate this important moment in history. Countless people throughout the borough and the city are proud of their Israeli heritage, and I implore you and the museum to not diminish that pride, but instead celebrate it.

    -Letter to museum officials from Council Member Elizabeth Crowley