Noelle Huizenga
202-891-7843
[email protected]
NASHVILLE, TENN. (NRB) — Troy A. Miller, President & CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association, has released a statement on the venue cancellation of The Israel Summit, scheduled for May 20-22, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.
The following statement is attributable to NRB President & CEO Troy A. Miller:
“I am disappointed to learn that the Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel has declined to fulfill its contract with HaYovel, a pro-Israel Christian ministry, just days before the inaugural Israel Summit in Nashville, Tenn., where I and fellow Christian and Jewish leaders planned to express our support and solidarity with Israel.
“It is a sad day for our country when a peaceful, educational, and informative gathering can be sabotaged by activists and abruptly cancelled by the host venue on short notice. Whether this action sprung from corporate hostility or intimidation by hecklers, the result is that HaYovel has been denied a public accommodation due to its religious beliefs.
“I thank First Liberty Institute for their efforts in this matter and urge the hotel to honor its contractual commitments to HaYovel.”
The Israel Summit is a conference hosted and sponsored by HaYovel, a Christian ministry that facilitates volunteer service activities in Israel. According to First Liberty Institute, the Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel contacted HaYovel around May 10 and claimed it had received “threats” regarding HaYovel and the Summit. With such “threats” as the sole justification, the Sonesta invoked the force majeure clause of the event contract and cancelled the Summit. Miller is scheduled to speak at the conference, among other Christian and Jewish leaders, including international guests.
Read the full letter from First Liberty Institute here.
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