Posted on 09/21/2008 4:03:03 PM PDT by SJackson
Statement from ZOA President Morton Klein on disinviting Palin
Distributed by IMRA with permission from Morton Klein
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FROM: Morton A. Klein, President, Zionist Organization of America
TO: ZOA National Board and Regions
The following statement is from Morton A. Klein, national president of the Zionist Organization of America.
"The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) strongly opposes the disinvitation of Vice-Presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin to be one of many speakers at a "stop Iran from gaining nuclear weapons rally." This rally will also protest the presence of Iran's president Ahmadinejad at the United Nations on Monday, September 22. This is an anti-Iran rally, not a partisan political rally, as Democratic Senator Hilary Clinton was invited as was vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden and later Democratic Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida. Clinton withdrew and Biden apparently couldn't attend.
"Under tremendous pressure from Jewish Democrats and liberal Jewish groups, Palin's invitation was withdrawn with a decision made not to include any politicians. Why are we excluding political leaders who have the real power to act on this critical issue? The ZOA believes this was a serious mistake.
"This was not a political rally for any party or individual. All Democrats and Republicans are united against Ahmadinejad developing nuclear weapons which he indicated he would use "to wipe Israel and America off the map." We thought that one of the themes of Democrats this year was "promoting unity" and "bringing people together." Well, here was an opportunity to do just that on an issue we can all support and certain groups and interests have caused us to fail. The ZOA is so disappointed by this unnecessary and harmful outcome.
"At this rally, there would be no implied or explicit endorsement of any candidate or party, only a unified condemnation of Ahmadinejad. No one was going to speak about politics, only about loving America and Israel, and fighting Iran, and standing up to evil.
"The ZOA deeply regrets that certain Jewish groups and individuals believed the inadvertent benefit that would accrue to Sarah Palin outweighed the enormous benefit that Israel and the United States would receive when a Vice-Presidential candidate and others give visibility and power to this life and death issue.
"It seems for these people politics and their personal political agenda were more important than Israel and America's security. This wrong-headed action of cancelling the appearance of major political leaders hurt Israel and the United States. Ahmadinejad must be delighted that those who oppose his policies are so divided they can't even stand on the same stage to condemn him. I assure you, if we were holding a rally to condemn an internationally-known racist, anti-Black leader, no one would dare disinvite a speaker and no speaker would dare back out.
"The ZOA strongly urges that Sarah Palin be reinvited along with any other key Democratic or Republican leaders.
"Otherwise, this will become a day of shame and humiliation for the Jewish people instead of a day of Jewish pride, strength, courage, and will. On this day, we should have put aside all other political interests and together fight against this existential threat against Israel and major threat to the United States and the entire western world."
Good. Glad someone was willing to speak out on this.
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
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That was suggested by a different organization F15, it did not work out.
The “Presidents” organization has dozens of members, but one “leader”, to me this is a direct attempt to deny Governor Palin any attempt at legitimacy and that is not a good thing.
I’d like to see Sarah invite Hillary to reconsider in an effort to show solidarity between women regardless of political party. As Mothers, wives, sisters, and yes, politicians Sarah can lead the way. I know that Hillary would never accept the challenge but it certainly would make Sarah look like a real leader and maverick.
A great letter, written by a wise man I am sure.
Politics has ruined the American spirit...it will take Mavericks like McCain and Palin to again reach across and show Barack how Politics is supposed to look.
Let them gracefully accept and Thanks to Obama and co. their arrival will now be even bigger than before.
Obam the gift that keeps on giving!!!
There is an element of the Jewish community that would disarm and surrender to those who would gladly conduct another holocaust to finish what Hitler started.
This is a statement from CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in the USA)
“You are likely reading or seeing news about the rescinding of an invitation to Governor Sarah Palin to address a rally against Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Monday in New York city sponsored by several organizations, including the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, of which CAMERA is a constituent member. Senator Hillary Clinton had also been invited, but had withdrawn from the event some days earlier.
“CAMERA had publicized the rally and encouraged attendance in the belief it was important not to allow the appearance of Ahmadinejad to pass without protest.
“Unfortunately, the event has now become the focus of enormous political controversy and the Jewish community gives the appearance of having insulted a potential Vice President of the United States in the truly troubling decision to disinvite Palin. CAMERA was never consulted in this matter and would not have agreed to the course taken.
“We have been in contact with Malcolm Hoenlein, Vice Chairman of the Conference, have expressed our dismay and have urged the invitation be restored, along with one to a representative chosen by Senator Obama’s campaign.
“Like untold numbers of Jews, we’re angry and offended by what’s been done in our name.”
Those groups would protest the Republican Party before they woud Iran.
NOTE!
There is more than one letter on the link. Choose NEXT and you will see various Jewish groups expressing their displeasure with the disinvite of Gov Palin.
What a great endorsement for Palin and McCain. Portions of this should appear in a campaign ad, in the very near future.
McCain/Palin ‘08!
Mort Klein and the ZOA step up! Good for them!
This guy doesn't have the balls to name the: "Jewish Democrats" and who made the decision in question. Without this information the story is empty.
It's called winning by any means necessary.
The "inadvertant benefit" would be a stage to show the American people what Sarah Palin is about, and the panicky Democrats could not allow that to happen, even if it gives indirect aid and comfort to Iran.
-PJ
I don’t know if Senator McCain and Governor Palin have a rally anywhere tomorrow but they should bring this rally up and say how much they would have liked to been there to show their support but the DemocRATS injected politics into this important event.
He has a vacation home in Montauk, New York and belongs to several different Jewish groups in that area.
When we discussed politic’s this staunch Democrat became livid that Palin had been disinvited.
He said that this year he and most of his mainly Democrat friends would be voting for McCain because he could not stomach the thought of of a radical inexperienced candidate like 0bama sitting as POTUS.
BTW: his wife has never voted for a Republican but this year she is supporting McCain Palin.
The poll's scare me but maybe many folks are like him and just doing the Bradley Affect.
It sounds to me like he is a peaceful man seeking a peaceful resolution to a Beast from Iran.
He is not looking for a political battle.
I think he disarmed well, and made his point.
You know, I’m not sure of that.
I can’t quite figure out why Hillary didn’t go, unless she knew this ruckus would happen- in which case it is brilliant.
I’m not at all sure, if reinvited, Hillary would not go.
“I’d like to see Sarah invite Hillary to reconsider in an effort to show solidarity between women regardless of political party. As Mothers, wives, sisters, and yes, politicians Sarah can lead the way. I know that Hillary would never accept the challenge but it certainly would make Sarah look like a real leader and maverick.”
I agree with your sentiment, but the press and Mrs. Clinton would just use it to bash Palin as politizing the issue.
After Hillary’s stunt, I more than ever want to see McCain/Palin get elected. If she disses Sarah after she is VP, there will be a great price to be paid.
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