Progressive Jewish Group Gives Linda Sarsour $10K For Security

By Daniel J. Solomon June 2, 2017

Muslim civil rights activist Linda Sarsour has become a lightning rod for controversy over her political advocacy work and statements about Israel and the Middle East. Because of this, she has received a hefty number of death threats and been forced to beef up on security.

So the progressive Jewish group Bend the Arc is giving Sarsour an assist, donating $10,000 raised in an online crowdfunding campaign to pay for her private security expenses.

“For years Linda has been a leading voice in our shared interfaith work of building a more just society,” CEO Stosh Cotler wrote in a press release. “Rather than allowing our communities to be pitted against one another, we will respond with action based in love and solidarity.”

Sarsour was heavily criticized for past statements defending sexist aspects of Islamic law and criticizing Israel and Zionism – with far-right provocateur Pamela Geller demanding she be disinvited from speaking at a CUNY commencement ceremony.

The Jewish left has largely stuck with Sarsour, with more than 100 community leaders signing a letter expressing their solidarity with her and condemning threats.

Contact Daniel J. Solomon at [email protected] or on Twitter @DanielJSolomon

Daniel J. Solomon is the former Assistant to the Editor/News Writer at the Forward. Originally from Queens, he attended Harvard as an undergraduate, where he wrote his senior thesis on French-Jewish intellectual history. He is excited to have returned to New York after his time in Massachusetts. Daniel’s passions include folk music, cycling, and pointed argument.