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Jewish Groups Withdraw Palin Invitation to Iran Protest Rally

Yesterday I wrote about Hillary Clinton's refusal to appear at an anti-Iran rally with Gov. Sarah Palin and the National Jewish Democratic Council's request for Palin to be disinvited.

The invitation to Palin has been withdrawn.

The NJDC responds:

Yesterday, NJDC said that Monday’s protest against Ahmadinejad was too important to be tainted by partisanship. Today, NJDC commends the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, the National Coalition to Stop Iran Now, The Israel Project, United Jewish Communities, the UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs for making the right decision by withdrawing their invitation to Governor Sarah Palin. This decision shows that bi-partisan solidarity against President Ahmadinejad has won out over partisanship - even in this highly charged election year.

More...

In withdrawing the invittation, the rally sponsors, The National Coalition to Stop Iran Now, and the Conference of Jewish Groups said (via Politico):

(New York, Sept. 18, 2008) --- The purpose of “THE RALLY TO STOP IRAN NOW” on Monday, Sept. 22, 2008, is to protest the presence of Iran’s President Ahmadinejad at the United Nations, and to oppose his nuclear weapons program. We take most seriously his threat to wipe the United States and Israel “off the map” and believe the world leaders gathered at the United Nations must act with resolve to prevent a nuclear armed Iran that would be a threat to this country, Israel and the world.

For this reason, tens of thousands of people of every faith and ethnicity are expected to hear messages from prominent religious and civic leaders, including Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and Israeli Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik. In order to keep the focus on Iranian threats and to ensure that this critical message not be obscured, the organizers of the rally have decided not to have any American political personalities appear.

This issue, opposition to a nuclear-armed Iran, is one which enjoys bipartisan support and the backing of the American people across the political spectrum. On this, all Americans stand together. We acknowledge and deeply appreciate those American political leaders who have been and remain prepared to stand with us as we collectively address the dangers of Iran's nuclear program and its support for terrorism globally.

We hope that the world leaders gathered at the UN will hear this message and resolve to act decisively against the Iranian nuclear program by implementing UN and Security Council resolutions and sanctions.

We again call on all concerned Americans of every background to join us at the "RALLY TO STOP IRAN NOW" on Monday, Sept. 22, at 11:45 A.M.

Signed:
The National Coalition to Stop Iran Now
The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
United Jewish Communities
UJA-Federation of New York
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs
The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York
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  • Display: Sort:
    I just saw the AP news (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by themomcat on Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 04:30:17 PM EST
    Laugh my bit off if Hillary shows up unannounced.


    I hope she does (5.00 / 0) (#2)
    by WS on Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 04:45:30 PM EST
    Take that Palin!  She was dying to get into the same stage as Hillary.  

    Parent
    How do you know Palin was? (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by nycstray on Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 06:26:35 PM EST
    Couldn't she have been invited under the same pretense as Clinton? Why wouldn't they want her now that Clinton isn't showing?  Seems they just invited them to create a news circus. If their original intentions were otherwise, why not invite McCain and Obama instead?

    Parent
    She most likely won't (none / 0) (#3)
    by themomcat on Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 04:55:26 PM EST
    HRC is a classy lady and true to her word. What ever she does, although I may disagree, I have a great deal of respect for her.


    Parent
    yeah, yeah - stop Iran... (3.50 / 2) (#4)
    by Fabian on Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 05:11:14 PM EST
    Exactly how do they propose that happen?

    If nothing else, this campaign season has caused me to completely lose my taste for over the top hyperbole.  America is now a second rate military and economic super power.  Its loss of international respect has caused a global power vacuum. It's unlikely that any other coalition is going to rush to attack Iran, so I guess that leaves the U.N. which isn't exactly Israel's bestest friend.

    Perhaps Israel could buy some long term goodwill in the Mideast by finally settling the P/I conflict?

    According to the release... (none / 0) (#5)
    by EL seattle on Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 05:45:53 PM EST
    In order to keep the focus on Iranian threats and to ensure that this critical message not be obscured, the organizers of the rally have decided not to have any American political personalities appear.

    I wonder how many other political personalities were invited to the event?

    Some of the organizations on that list are pretty well known, I'd imagine. (At least around New York.)


    I think they did the right thing. (none / 0) (#7)
    by WillBFair on Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 06:34:23 PM EST
    Hillary is their senator, and probably the vast majority of ny jews consider palin to be a nut job. They shouldn't want her within 100 miles of the event, and it's a miracle that she was invited in the first place. IMHO, somebody has some 'splainin' to do.

    I think when HRC withdrew (none / 0) (#9)
    by themomcat on Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 06:37:35 PM EST
    The organizers realized they made a booboo.


    Parent
    Invitation Withdrawn?!!!! (none / 0) (#8)
    by ChiTownDenny on Thu Sep 18, 2008 at 06:36:01 PM EST
    How do you spell "Hillay is not Palin"?  Decline the invitation vs. withrawal of the invitation.  Hillary still leads the discourse.

    Sarah Palin is the Rock Star (none / 0) (#10)
    by mkdennehy on Fri Sep 19, 2008 at 11:55:31 AM EST
    Big Mistake!  Does the withdrawel of the invitation make a statement?!  Who is partisan here?!!  This is entirely a bipartisan issue.  Seriously, we all agree that Iran needs to be kept in check.  Why is this suddenly controvercial except that Hilary was scared to share the stage with someone as beautiful, pure and upstanding as Sarah Palin!  Sorry, calls em as I see em.  LOL, enjoy the show.

    Fabian's comment (none / 0) (#11)
    by Bandido on Fri Sep 19, 2008 at 08:02:52 PM EST
    So if America is now a second rate military and economic super power, who's number one?