A Facebook post expressing concern over an “International Solidarity with the Palestinian People” book display at the Hennepin County Library’s Ridgedale branch sparked swift community response this week, resulting in the display’s removal just a few days later.
The original post, shared by a local Jewish community member, read in part: “I think most of us would consider the library a safe space and that’s why I feel compelled to share the current display at the Ridgedale library. It’s the first thing you see when you walk in celebrating ‘international solidarity with Palestinian people.’”
The post quickly circulated through local social media groups, prompting a wave of reactions and concerns from Jewish community members about the content, placement and titles in the books on the display.
Comments in those groups included:
- “It’s not that they made this display, it’s which books they chose.”
- “This display could make most Jews who walk in, right back out.”
- “The thing that bugs me is they don’t do this on the anniversary of the Holocaust, or on October 7th. I feel like we as a community wouldn’t be as upset if they did.”
- “I am so disgusted by our neighborhood library. It is sad, hurtful and disappointing. When confronting the staff last week the librarians were clueless and didn’t know what half the books meant and how they put our Jewish lives in danger. That was very concerning to me.”
- “It’s that exact utter lack of knowledge and understanding while promoting that is harming us Jews.”
Community members wrote to county officials and library administrators, describing feelings of being unsafe and unwelcome when the first thing they saw upon entering the library was a display commemorating International Palestinian Solidarity Day, a United Nations-recognized observance.
View this post on Instagram
This display, however, wasn’t the first time that the Library offered a one-sided view of the conflict. Back in September, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas found a book display on the Israel-Hamas war at Ridgedale Library that was only representing the Palestinian side. JCRC was in contact with Hennepin County Library leadership and Ridgedale Library staff, asking them to broaden the display for representation and balance of both sides of the war. Library officials opted to take down that display.
Many of the books featured on the newest display included titles community members described as inflammatory, including A Genocide Foretold, which includes descriptions such as an “intimate portrait of systemic oppression, occupation and violence.” Another book, Perfect Victims and the Politics of Appeal, contains lines like “while a settler, colonial state continues to inflict devastating violence, the perpetrators are coddled, while the victims are blamed and placed on trial.” A children’s book, A Map for Falasteen, A Palestinian Child’s Search for Home, was also included.
TC Jewfolk reached out to Hennepin County Library Director Scott Duimstra, asking why county resources were used for a display that many viewed as anti-Israel political messaging. Duimstra responded, in part: “The purpose of the display is to offer a passive opportunity for community members to connect with the materials that reflect their specific interests and identities. By displaying books with information about Palestine, the library is offering support for patrons who might not be comfortable asking library staff for assistance.”
Hennepin County Commissioner Heather Edelson said she heard from hundreds of residents.
“I got probably 200 emails and also multiple calls,” Edelson said. “I reached out right when I found out about it to address it. I realized that the display was offensive when I saw it. Initially, I think that there were staff who did not see how this could be offensive.”
After four days of phone calls, emails, and community discussions, action was taken. An email shared with TC Jewfolk Friday morning from Duimstra confirmed that the display had been removed:
“Thank you for contacting me. Along with your thoughtful comments and feedback, we have heard from several community members regarding the display at our Ridgedale Library and they shared the same concerns you raised. After talking with the Ridgedale staff, we have taken the display down. I apologize if the display created a difficult and non-inclusive environment for you at our libraries. That was truly not the intent of our staff in creating the display. For future displays, we will be more thoughtful and think of who is not included and who could be impacted by our displays.
“Hennepin County Library values intellectual freedom and the importance of an individual’s right to read, view, and listen to a broad spectrum of knowledge, ideas, opinions, and creative expression. We also strive to provide spaces that welcome and reflect the communities and individuals we serve. In this instance, our library display fell short in creating a welcoming space, and that is why the display is being taken down.”
The outcome, many community members said, reflects the impact of coordinated advocacy and direct engagement with county leadership.
Edelson said she hopes the episode leads to a more thoughtful process for future displays.
“What I think, hopefully, is learned from this, with the library, is that when we’re looking at complex conflicts that are happening internationally, it’s important to include all voices and show different perspectives of the conflict,” she said. “Given that we’re in Minnesota and we’re such a diverse state, I think that’s really important.”
The library should be praised for the display. This controversy is just another example of Zionism having no justification resorts to suppression of the truth
As an Evangelical pastor, I just would like to say that feeling threatened by the oppression of the Palestinian people shows that you yourselves have lost grip on your own humanity. If you feel threatened because the suffering of others is on display for the world to see, you need to check what you’re really defending.
B’Tselem (Israeli human rights org) has determined that Israel has committed and is committing genocide, as has Amnesty International and many more human rights orga. Condemn genocide. Condemn those who support censorship of genocide education. Shame on you Hennepin County Library.