A pro-Israel conference organized by Christian groups was abruptly canceled due to a series of credible terror threats directed at the event, raising concerns about the safety of such gatherings in the United States.
The Israel Summit, which was set to take place from June 9 to 11 in Dallas, was expected to attract over 1,000 attendees.
Organizers, including the pro-Israel nonprofit HaYovel and The Israel Guys podcast, initially relocated the event to a different venue due to heightened security risks but ultimately decided to cancel.
The proclamation of the cancellation cited overwhelming security concerns and an estimated security burden of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The new venue had initially agreed to host the summit and implement necessary security measures but withdrew after facing threats from groups identified as pro-Hamas and jihadist organizations.
Organizers had been in contact with local law enforcement, including the sheriff’s department and the FBI, as they navigated these escalating threats.
Joshua Waller, a host of The Israel Guys podcast, expressed alarm over the situation, stating, “This isn’t just about our event being shut down — it’s part of an alarming trend that’s escalating.”
He pointed to recent violent incidents, including the murders of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C., and a firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado, as indicators of rising hostility toward pro-Israel events and support.
Scheduled speakers for the summit included prominent figures such as former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, members of the Israeli Knesset, and various media personalities.
Some speakers learned of the event’s cancellation only after arriving in the United States, adding to the disappointment and frustration surrounding the situation.
The organizers indicated that the decision to cancel was not made lightly, emphasizing that they had explored every possible option to ensure safety.
“While the desire to stand with Israel was overwhelming, so were the threats,” they stated. “Every option was explored — yet ultimately, no safe path forward remained, a reality organizers never imagined possible in the United States.”
Last year, the Israel Summit faced similar challenges when it was nearly canceled due to threats from anti-Israel activists.
At that time, personal finance expert Dave Ramsey stepped in to host the event at his company’s headquarters, helping to boost attendance significantly.
Despite the recent setbacks, organizers remain determined to continue their mission. “We are not backing down,” they stated, indicating plans to reschedule the summit in the future, aiming for an event that is “bigger and bolder than ever.”
The Israel Summit is positioned as a gathering of pro-Israel supporters committed to advocating for Israel’s sovereignty, including territories such as Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria.
As tensions escalate, the cancellation of this event underscores the challenges faced by those advocating for Israel in an increasingly polarized environment.
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