New York – Jewish leaders in New York have written a letter to state lawmakers that will run in Jewish publications fighting the legalization of mixed martial arts, stating the legalization supports an anti-Israel government.
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The letter highlights the fact that the government in Abu Dhabi owns 10 percent in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which is the sport’s biggest league, according to NY Daily News (http://nydn.us/1Fc78iB).
Abu Dhabi is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is ranked as one of the biggest anti-Semitic countries in the world by the Anti-Defamation League.
Seventeen leaders have signed the letter, including Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis; Yoel Schonfeld, a rabbi for the Orthodox Union and Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills synagogue in Queens; Rabbi David Keehn of the Queens Jewish Community Council, and Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, a principal with Bernstein Global Wealth Management.
UFC officials say Abu Dhabi is an ally of the United States, and that major New York City developers like Sam Zell and Stephen Ross have dealings with Abu Dhabi.
The state Senate has passed An MMA legalization bill was passed within the last five years by the state Senate, but didn’t make it past the Assembly.
Bs’d. Just arrange a match between Israeli Krav Maga fighters and some MMA crew. Should draw an international crowd.
The biggest opponent of ufc in NY was Sheldon Silver. Why? I have no idea. But I can guarantee you that Dana White doesn’t care about Mr Silver’s arrest, Abu Dabi’s politics, or alleged anti Semitism, he cares about making money in one of the biggest markets in the world- New York City.