A pro-Palestinian conference scheduled in Houston has been canceled by the host hotel due to security concerns.
The Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria released a statement explaining its decision, as reported by WFAA.
“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,” the statement reads.
The Seize the Moment U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights National Conference, organized by the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights (USCPR), had lined up guest speakers that included journalist Marc Lamont Hill and Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
The conference program noted that in the opening session, guests would be invited to “seize the moment for a liberated future.”
Tlaib was set to give the keynote address, after which she was going to lead “a panel of Palestinian activists to break down strategies and ideas in this political landscape” and “dive deep into how [people] can advocate and push Congress to meet [pro-Palestine] demands.”
Gov. Greg Abbott posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, expressing his support for the hotel cancelation of the conference. He criticized the conference for allegedly supporting antisemitism and Hamas.
“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,” the governor wrote.
As WFAA reported, the conference was promoted as being pro-Palestinian and not pro-Hamas. It was purportedly planned long before Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel and the current war.
The conference program listed multiple breakout sessions, including one to discuss ways to pressure Congress to “stop arming Israel.” Another session was on combatting what the program described as meritless lawsuits by the Jewish National Fund against the USCPR for its advocacy of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel.