Anti-Israel Bklyn Rabbi Faces Backlash for Meeting with Iranian President Days Before Rocket Barrage Hits Jewish State

Anti-Israel Bklyn Rabbi Faces Backlash for Meeting with Iranian President Days Before Rocket Barrage Hits Jewish State

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Abby Stein, a controversial part-time rabbi at the progressive Kolot Chayeinu synagogue in Park Slope, has drawn fierce criticism for her participation in a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian just days before Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel. According to a report in The New York Post, the meeting, which occurred during the United Nations General Assembly, included roughly two dozen religious leaders, scholars, and Iranian officials. The timing and context of the meeting have intensified scrutiny of Stein, given Iran’s longstanding hostility toward Israel and its support for terrorism in the region.

Stein, who has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza and a member of the radical group Jewish Voice for Peace, sat alongside members of Neturei Karta, an ultra-Orthodox sect known for its opposition to the existence of the Jewish state. Neturei Karta’s frequent participation in anti-Israel protests and their documented meetings with Iran’s leadership are well-documented, making their presence at the meeting unsurprising, yet still alarming. As The New York Post noted, Iranian state-run Press TV captured the event in photographs, which have since sparked outrage among pro-Israel activists and leaders.

So that there’s no doubt what @jvplive stands for – this is what they posted. Now you understand why @ShahanaFromBK likes them? @kolotchayeinu should immediately dissociate from this hatefest. On Yom Kippur of all days… pic.twitter.com/OqDAXw0gMe

— Andrés Spokoiny 🌟🌟🌟 (@Spokoiny) October 11, 2024

The context of the meeting makes Stein’s actions all the more troubling. Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, openly supporting terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, both of which have targeted Israeli civilians for decades. Just days after the September meeting with Stein and other religious leaders, Iran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel, escalating tensions in the region. The report in The New York Post indicated that the missile strike came after an Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and other top officials, actions that Pezeshkian condemned as “shameful” during the meeting, according to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.

Stein’s association with such a regime raises serious questions about her judgment and motivations. As The New York Post reported, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), a staunch supporter of Israel, harshly criticized Stein for her involvement, stating, “Anyone who associates with the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism is a useful idiot of the highest order.” Torres’s condemnation highlights the broader concern that Stein, by aligning herself with a regime that actively seeks Israel’s destruction, is lending credibility to Iran’s dangerous propaganda.

Stein is no stranger to controversy, especially when it comes to her anti-Israel activism. She was infamously ejected from the White House Pride Month celebration in June after disrupting First Lady Jill Biden’s speech to demand a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and for the United States to halt its military support to Israel, The New York Post report explained. Stein’s actions, which were widely condemned, were in line with her involvement in the Jewish Voice for Peace’s Rabbinical Council, a group that has been criticized for its vehemently anti-Israel stance.

The New York Post highlighted that Stein’s role at Kolot Chayeinu has only added fuel to the fire. Her progressive congregation has long supported her activism, but her recent actions, including the meeting with Pezeshkian, have pushed the boundaries of what many see as acceptable dissent. Stein’s repeated calls for a ceasefire, even as Hamas and Hezbollah continue to target Israeli civilians, have drawn condemnation from pro-Israel leaders who view her stance as dangerously naive or, worse, complicit in enabling terrorism.

In the wake of the controversy, neither Stein nor her synagogue, Kolot Chayeinu, has responded to requests for comment, according to The New York Post. This silence has done little to calm the growing outrage, as critics argue that Stein’s meeting with a regime that actively calls for Israel’s destruction crosses a line that cannot be ignored.

While progressive congregations such as Kolot Chayeinu may pride themselves on promoting open dialogue and dissent, Stein’s willingness to engage with Iran’s leadership, especially at such a volatile time, demonstrates a troubling lack of awareness about the very real threats facing Israel. Her participation in a meeting with individuals who actively support terrorism against Israel has rightly raised alarm among those who believe that Israel’s right to defend itself is non-negotiable.

At a time when Israel is facing escalating threats from its enemies, Stein’s decision to meet with figures tied to a regime that sponsors terrorism is not only irresponsible but dangerous. It is critical for Jewish leaders and activists to recognize the line between advocating for peace and legitimizing those who seek to destroy Israel.