Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel by the Galleria was set to host an event in support of the terrorist group Hamas. They canceled the event following pressure from the public.
The Seize the Moment US Campaign for Palestinian Rights National Conference (USCPR) was supposed to occur from October 27 through October 29. But, with the conflict raging between Israel and Hamas—a Palestinian terrorist group—the upcoming event drew severe backlash.
According to Newsweek, “Hamas led the deadliest Palestinian militant attack on Israel in history on October 7. Israel subsequently launched its heaviest ever airstrikes on Gaza. At least 1,400 people in Israel and 2,778 in Gaza have been killed in the conflict.”
Despite the ongoing conflict, Hilton still intended to host the Palestine support conference. The conference was set to host several speakers, with Newsmax contributor Jeremy Frankel noting, “notoriously proud Jew-haters Rashida Tlaib, Linda Sarsour, Marc Lamont Hill, and Omar Barghouti are among the featured hate-mongering speakers.”
Several topics were to be discussed, with the primary subject being pressuring the end of American financial support of Israel.
“This conference will foment even more antisemitism in the U.S.,” Frankel posted on X.
Frankel said that in hosting the event, the hotel is “breaking their own policy.”
The 2017 policy Frankel referred to reads, “In compliance with the U.S. Patriot Act as well as international anti-terrorism rules, Hilton does not support organizations that engage in terrorist activities or are involved in any acts dangerous to human life that are in violation of the criminal laws of any country where we operate.”
Several others took to social media to express their distaste for the upcoming event.
After the criticism reached critical mass, Hilton announced its cancellation of the event.
The hotel provided KHOU11 with a statement regarding the cancellation:
Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria serves as a place of public accommodation and does not endorse the positions of third-party groups or organizations. The safety and security of our Team Members and guests is our top priority. Given escalating security concerns in the current environment, the hotel has determined that it cannot serve as the venue for this event because of the potential risks to our Team Members and guests. Our priority is and will remain the safety and security of everyone we welcome at our hotel.
Once it was revealed that the Houston Hilton would no longer host the event, Gov. Greg Abbott commended them for the decision.
Hilton Hotels in Houston was correct to pull the plug on the U.S. Campaign for Palestine Rights event hosted by Hamas supporters.
Texas has no room for hate & antisemitism like that supported by Hamas.
No location in Texas should host or sponsor USCPR. https://t.co/XyM16oJ9IV
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) October 17, 2023
As of publication, Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel by the Galleria did not respond to Texas Scorecard’s request for comment.