New York City garden that had swept Zionist members drops the requirement
NEW YORK — A New York City public garden that had barred members who consider in “Zionism” has agreed to permit Zionist members, the metropolis’s parks division mentioned on Thursday.
The Sunset Community Garden in Queens had tried to dam Zionist members in 2024, setting off a long-running dispute with metropolis authorities and a court docket battle.
A spokesperson for the parks division informed The Times of Israel on Thursday that the metropolis and the garden had “resolved this case to both parties’ satisfaction, in a manner that safeguards the rights of all members of the community.”
“Garden members will not be required to be anti-Zionist,” the spokesperson mentioned.
Jewish neighborhood residents first raised complaints in 2024 about anti-Israel activism at the Sunset Community Garden.
The garden, situated in a city-owned public area, had instituted “community agreements” that required potential members to pledge help to “oppressed and marginalized people” worldwide, “especially Palestine.”
Another dedication required members to oppose “violent behavior or rhetoric that expresses all forms of hate,” together with “Zionist, anti-Semitic, nationalist and/or racist beliefs.”
Membership in the garden permits space residents to take part in gardening actions, and never solely go to.
The garden had additionally posted anti-Israel photographs on-line, branded a flower mattress as “Poppies for Palestine,” and endorsed different progressive messaging.
Last yr, the New York City Parks Department told the garden that the anti-Zionist assertion violated metropolis tips by requiring members to move political and ideological “litmus tests,” and mentioned the garden had refused options provided by the metropolis to remain in operation.
Months later, the metropolis issued the garden a vacant orderthough members of the public had been allowed to enter the garden throughout sure hours, pending the court docket case’s decision.
Former New York City mayor Eric Adams, a staunch supporter of Israel and mainstream Jews, weighed in at the time, telling The Times of Israel that the garden’s conduct was “reprehensible” as a result of it had “specifically tried to bar those who believe in a State of Israel, which the overwhelming majority of Jews do.”
The garden filed a lawsuit in opposition to the metropolis in federal court docket in New York, claiming a “targeted, discriminatory, and retaliatory campaign” in opposition to protected free speech.
Court information confirmed that the two sides had agreed to a settlement “in principle” final week.
Lawyers for the two events didn’t reply to requests for remark.
The high-profile dispute highlighted how the blurred strains between antisemitism and anti-Zionism play out on New York City streets and in public areas.
Some Jews argue that anti-Zionism overlaps with or causes, or constitutes antisemitism, whereas anti-Zionists declare the motion is solely political and never discriminatory.
