New York City – Rescinding an invitation to Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin, and every other political figure who was scheduled to appear Monday at a protest against the United Nations appearance of Iranian President Ahmadinejad, was “the only way the rally could keep its focus,” according to Malcolm Hoenlein of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
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Senator Hillary Clinton, who also was scheduled to appear, withdrew after learning that she was to share the podium with Governor Palin.
In a move that several critics called “a debacle,” it was announced Thursday by the Conference of Presidents, and the other Jewish organizations it partnered with to sponsor the rally, that Palin was also out, and that no other election officials would appear either.
The program, which is expected to draw thousands of people, including seniors from several Nassau County yeshiva high schools, is expected to be dominated by Jewish figures such as Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, Knesset Speaker Dahlia Itzik, and a leading Iranian dissident, Hoenlein explained in a telephone interview with The Jewish Star.
“During the political season we’re in, everything becomes obfuscated,” he said. “I hope that people will remember that the important thing is Iran — he wants to wipe Israel off the map. And that’s getting lost.”
The National Jewish Democratic Council’s Ira Forman, who had criticized the invitation to Palin, welcomed the news that she and other politicians would not appear.
“Palin is the rock star and she’s appealing to Hillary’s voters,” said Forman. “It’s just inappropriate…this is important stuff, Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” he said. The Conference of Presidents “were wise to say let’s disinvite the elected officials and get this back to the solemn and bipartisan event it should be.”
Washington insider Jeff Ballabon, a Long Island-based Jewish activist and lobbyist, agreed that the event should be bi-partisan, but called the decision to disinvite Palin “beyond embarrassing.”
“Let’s assign the blame where it belongs. First and foremost: Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton took what should have been a non-partisan, bi-partisan event to unite Americans against a man who has threatened to eradicate six million Jews, and for nasty petty politics, embarrassed the Jewish community,” Ballabon said.
The Jewish Star has learned that threats against their non-profit status were made to some sponsors of the rally and may have played a role in the decision to cancel the appearances of Palin and other political figures.
“There were threats of IRS problems against some of the organizations,” a knowledgeable source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the paper.
“This is a terrible embarrassment, politically, to the Jewish community,” said Michael Fragin, a former top aide to Governor George Pataki, and a one-time political columnist for The Jewish Star.
He said there ought to be no cause for concern that an appearance at the rally by Governor Palin could endanger sponsors’ not-for profit status.
“That is totally inaccurate. As long as you don’t endorse, and as long as you do not deny access to a single side … there is no impediment,” to tax-exempt status, he said. If you invited Obama, for example, and then “you tell McCain you cannot come, then you would run afoul of the IRS. But if one side chooses not to show up, that’s not your fault.”
Congressman Robert Wexler (D-Fl) was to have represented the Obama-Biden campaign at the rally. Wexler made news several weeks ago by attempting to link Palin to accused Nazi sympathizer Patrick Buchanan.
Students from Machon HaTorah — HAFTR, Rambam Mesivta and Shalhevet High School for Girls — and HANC (Hebrew Academy of Nassau County) High School are scheduled to attend the rally on Monday.
Rabbi Zev Friedman, Rosh HaYeshiva of Machon HaTorah, said he was “shocked” by the decision to rescind Governor Palin’s invitation, calling it “foolhardy.”
He is concerned now about “negative ramifications in terms of the Jewish community if [McCain and Palin] get into office. I certainly have to believe she might harbor some ill-feeling. We know the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamzta on Tisha b’Av, and embarrassing someone by disinviting them.”
Referring to Senator Clinton, he said, “If she wants to pull out for political reasons I think that speaks volumes.”
A statement from the McCain campaign sounded a similar note.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Republicans, Democrats and independents alike to oppose Ahmadinejad’s goal of a nuclear armed Iran. Senator Obama’s campaign had the opportunity to join us. Senator Obama chose politics rather than the national interest.”
“We are very appreciative of Governor Palin’s willingness to be there,” said Hoenlein, adding that there could soon be another opportunity for Palin to address the Jewish community.
Ballabon blamed the incident on “ego-and- power-driven community leaders who once again abuse their organizational positions to put slavish political loyalty to Democrats above the safety and security of six million Jews in Israel – not to mention untold millions of innocents around the world of all faiths who are jeopardized by Iran-sponsored terror. They have shamed us all,’ he said.
The rally is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. on Monday, at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, near the United Nations.
Hoenlein does what he is told by the biggest Jewish backer of the GOP. This was a trap. Knowing that the rally would be attended mainly by Orthodox jews and that they have swallowed the GOP Koolade, it was not something Hillary could have attended without being diminished. The video would have built Palin up and torn Hillary down at a time when the Republicans are rapidly losing ground in all polls. They knew she would pull out. It was a no-lose for the Republicans and that is what Hoenlein and his master wanted
I think we should boycott this stupit event,we have become the idiots of those so called Jewish org.
If nobody shows up they will learn a lesson
horatio:
BULL
Not mentioned in the article are that Mr. Ballabon and Mr. Fragin are prominent Republicans.
i think we should make another rally, and invite her back!
This was supposed to be a non-political rally against Ahmadinijad. It’s too bad Hillary couldn’t rise to the occasion and do the right thing. With fair-weather friends like these…
Double shame on Malcolm Hoenlein and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations for univiting Sarah Palin. Firstly, it is in poor taste to univite someone and is not mentschlich. Imagine getting an invitation to a wedding, and then getting a phone call from the host telling you it was a mistake and you’re not invited after all. Secondly, they are hurting the feelings of the possible next vice-president of the United States. Her estimation of the Jewish community will be a lot less now that she sees how we treated her. It’s too bad no one asked Da’as Torah, as I’m sure they would have told them it’s assur to rescind their invitation.
“Palin is the rock star and she’s appealing to Hillary’s voters,” said Forman. “It’s just inappropriate…this is important stuff, Iran’s nuclear ambitions,” he said.
ok, so the first part is pure partisan politics, the second nonsense, so this guy is an idiot all around! typical democrats! i am sure had palin not been able to attend, hillary would be there, and this forman fool would be claiming that this is no time for partisan politics, and of course hillary should go to the rally! but biw that queen hillary, the shuah arafat kissing machasheifa, wont attend, how dare palin go.
Mr. Fragins example is backwards.
according to the reports, the mccain campaign was contact weeks ago during the convention while the obama campaign was first contacted 2 days ago.
It occurred to me that to invite the Presidential and/or Vice-Presidential candidates (if in fact all were invited) was an absolutely crazy idea. The only joint appearances they will make during the campaign are the three official debates. For one to accept would guarantee an outcry from the other camp. Did they really think that they would have managed to sponsor a joint appearance when nobody else has managed to?
(If they invited Palin but not Biden, every bit of outrage from the Democratic side is justified. But that they would have been that stupid is not credible.)
They invited palin and did not invite biden supposedly because they thought hillary was a high ranking dem and they only invited palin to balance that. if so, they could have just as easily gotten mitt romney or mike huckabee.
they knew they were going to create a frenzy and specatacle circus which is probably what they wanted by having palin. they did not even think to call the obama campaign until weneday after clinton backed out of making this snl comes to life. Biden was already booked solid to speak at the same conference that mccain is speaking to on sunday. the obama campaign was going to send robert wexler as a representative.
the organizers fouled up royally and are now making up other excuses like this tax drivel.
if it is to be beleived then hoenelein and his chevra can never have any of their staple rallies they have had all these years ever again.
This entire debacle was pre-planned by Obama. He is a staunch supporter of Achmedinijad
So it is not only the Gedolim that get to ban Big Events. Draft Ira Forman for the Moetzes. Every one should send in a campagin contribution to the McCain Palin Campaign to show that these Liberal Self Hating democrat Jews do not speak for the rest of us.
Stadlanus demands that we all be careful of how we behave toward all possible political figures. This entire process was geared toward solidifying Jewish support for Republicans and harming Hillary. This was totally unwise on Hoenlein’s part from the point of view of Jewish interests, which he was supposed to support. The Jewish community has taken a huge step in the wrong direction.
9:25, thats insane and you know its totally false it doesnt even make any sense. the organizers even promoted the event as both mccain and obama agreeing that “on iran there is no debate” so stop lying erev selichos, its not good for your soul.
Hoenlein and the likes of him are very reminiscent of the “baryonim” in the times of the churban habayis. It is a shame that the the world looks at them as though they are our spokespeople.
I would say it’s a great thing that no member of the US political form will show, given that the Neutrei Karta will be their to show their sympathy to the Iranian president, (one can say with the same reason of kamtza bar kamtza) and as not to show resentment to the government we all so love, I am extremely happy that no one will show.
This fiasco is all the fault of ego-driven so-called “Jewish leaders” who have been trying to ingratiate themselves with the Clintons ever since Bill first ran for President. These slavish boot-lickers, including this guy Ira Forman, the Democrat Party’s captive “court Jew,” still drink the Kool Aid (that Bill, who never lost an opportunity to try to arm-twist Israel into making suicidal concessions to Arafat in the name of a phony so-called “peace process” aimed at cementing his legacy as a peacemaker, statesman, patriot and diplomat rather than as our national lounge lizard, was allegedly “the best friend the Jews ever had in the White House) and they even now bend over backawards to appease Hillary (they conveniently have buried the memory of her warm kiss of feminist sisterly solidarity with Arafat’s ugly shrew of a wife right after Mrs. A. had just gotten done delivering a fiery rant in which she accused “the Jews” of “poisoning” Palestinian children).
…Rabbi Zev Friedman, Rosh HaYeshiva of Machon HaTorah, said he was “shocked” by the decision to rescind Governor Palin’s invitation, calling it “foolhardy.”…
I’m shocked, too. We should all be shocked at the total irresponsibility of the secular Jewish organizers of this dumb rally.
Now, they have managed, singlehanedly, to antagonize at least one-third of the American People for whom Sarah palin is a greatly-admired role model.
And for what?–To please their puppet masters in the Democrat party.
These people are more Democrat than Jewish!
what about all the good work hillary has done in the last 10 years since that unfortunate moment of DIPLOMACY?
she has been so good to us and done so much for us. its amazing how selective you people can be. she has been better for israel than most rpeublicans. she has taken the time to tackle so many issues.
but alas, palin has a flag in her office so she must be greater than the pope.
It was Hillary who couldn’t handle having Palin near her. That’s what started this off and on thing.
If Hillary would have said, “Palin and I are both for freedom and both against terror,” she would have looked super great and they could have taken a bipartisan stance together.
Too bad Hillary’s ego couldn’t handle it.
Yeah, women have egos too.
WHY NOT DISINVITE EVERYBODY, AND CANCEL THE WHOLE RALLY!
I THINK THE REBBES SHOULD SPEAK
THE CONFERENCE OF EGOTISTICAL PRESIDENTS SHOULD BE ABOLISHED
THEY DO NOTHING FOR THE YIDDEN
Hillary must be booed at her speech. As Curtis Sliwa said the other day when Hillary said she won’t attend if Palin does, “Let’s chant No Hillary, No way, No how”. Now that this is transpiring we should really throw the book at Hillary. Clinton – Feh!
Hillary did the right thing. The moment they announced palin this turned into a circus so she chose to make it about ahmedinejad and not about hillary and sarah. everyone was making tina fey jokes and vote pander remarks instead of putting the focus on iran. hrc did the right thing. the presidents conference hadn obusness calling a presidential campaign and inviting a candidate so close to the election.
why couldnt they just invite rudy???
Where is the Agudah, in all of this?
AS USUAL “YAD YISROEL BE’EMTZA”
THE WHOLE RALLY IS NOT TORAHDIG OISGEHALTEN
Will we still vote for Hillary in the future?
Thank G-D the Chabad Shluchim did not back down when they were threatened in the same way because they had a conference call with Mccain and because the Shaliach in Alaska said that Palin is a friend.
It time that we all grow a backbone.
what a shame to dis invite somebody especilly such a person now so much in the news what a chillel hashem its one think not to invite somebody but to dis invite to tell somebody dont come after she was called and had plans this is a peice of garbage i hope this ralley is a flop to teach our so called stupid silly leaders to behave alike a mench its not that i am for palin its just to be a mentch its a chille hasoim its all over the news
its funny they never invite rabbonim or roshei yeshiva. they get big priests and nuns and other religions big names but then they biggest rabbi they have is avi weiss and elli kranzler. none of our big community religious leaders.
agudah is busy ignoring the molesters. this takes up all their attention. ignorance is bliss
As a registered Democrat for over 25 years, I find Senator Clinton’s actions in connection with the rally to be utterly abhorrent. The important thing is to make a statement against Ahmadinejad and radical Islam. How much attention in the media would the rally have achieved if Senator Clinton and Governor Palin were on the same platform! Instead, Senator Clinton (and, I am embarrassed to say) the National Jewish Democratic Coalition) put political considerations first. I fear that we have learned nothing from the 1930’s.
why are we giving this guy achmadwhatever any recognition
thtas what he thrives on the best thing we can do is ignore him
clinotn did nothing wrong. fakhert she did the right thing. malcolm did the dumb thing by inviting the mccain campaign during the convention
I am boycotting the event and hope others will follow, no need to go as it wont receive the media attention it would have received otherwise. A great chilul hashem and back stabbing the party which has been the staunchest supporters of Israel in RECENT years. If they wouldn’t have invited her is one thing, but to reject her, are they normal? WHO DO THEY THINK THEY ARE? Why would they play the risk of the Republican party ignoring the cause in the future? How irresponsible. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE I CAN CONTACT THESE SO CALLED ORGANIZERS OF THIS EVENT?
I think having Hillary and Sarah Palin shows unity not Politics. Hillary has a way of spinning things in a way that makes your blood boil. What’s political if you have both parties represented at the rally? Are we not all against Iran having the weapon?
I wont vote for Hillary next time she runs for re-election either as she has proven that politics first country second. I am quite happy she didn’t win the primary.
Biden has said in the past that Israel has plenty Atom bombs to defend itself and therefor he has no objection to Iran having one. Why should invite Biden? He has also voted aginst a bill labeling the Iran military as a terrorist organiztion.
and if they had only invited Hillary, would all this fuss be made?
Call Clinton’s office. The number is 202-224-4451. Tell her you are disappointed in her decision and that she has lost your support for standing on politics instead of against terrorism.
no. it never was. hillary has psoken at these rallies many times as an elected official form new york who supports the cause. not as a member of any party or campaign. the last rally like this in september 07 or july 06 had clinton, and 2 dozen congressmen, councilman , assemblyman etc.
I cant wait to get to this rally with my pro McCane sighns. We the people will turn this into a pro Israel pro Palin rally. The little dwarf leaders will weasel into a corner when hundreds of young Jews shout down Abamo and his anti semtic ilk. Everyone buy markers and placards and write the following STOP IRANS NUKES AGAINST ISRAEL,,,VOTE McCaine Palin. The organizers cant even stand up to Hillary , They are not gonna stand up to right wing young Jews.
I wish we didn’t even have ach
!$%^%## y’mach shmo coming here. He is the Amalekite leader of our time. I wish Moshiach were here already so we could take care of this devil. He doesn’t belong around civilized people.
Interesting how the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations web-site features picture of Hillary Clinton and also Obama video.Also note in video Obama’s promise of Jerusalem being Israel’s capitol drowned out by noise..Non-partisan?? CHUTZPA
The first one to say “I’m not coming” is the one who makes it political (Hillary). The smarter thing to do would have been to have all of them show solidarity, just not speak. Instead they “threw the baby out with the bathwater”. But I guess the concept of keeping ones mouth shut, is foreign to some “leaders”. CoPoMJO – Uch un Vey!
Call Clinton’s office. The number is 202-224-4451. Tell her you are disappointed in her decision and that she has lost your support for standing on politics instead of against terrorism
I have one word to say to Clinton. BABY
I lost any respect for her. This was not meant to be a political event.
The next time I get a call from UJA or Federation or from any of the other “Major” organizations asking for funds, I will tell them I can’t give them unless they also share with Chassidish or Yeshivesh Mosdos, as it would be too “political” to give just to them.
This is a graet Shanda and disgrace to disinvite the possible vp or president of teh US.
Malcolm is a gutta neshomo, but the Judenrat put too much pressure on him.
I think all self respectimng Jews should boycott this eevent to show our displeasure and to show these so called Jewish “leaders” that they don’t represent us.
1. Horatio – your either misguided or require psychiatric care.
2. Hillary has done NOTHING for US or anyone else – everything she does is for herself – she has been running for president for the last 35 years and Sara Palin has stolen her crown – all hail queen Hillary (puke).
3. These so called self appointed Jewish leaders are a disgrace – and they have disgraced the entire Jewish community by capitulating to the extreme left of the Democrat party run by Hillary and Bill and Soros.
4. The right thing to do is NOT go to this rally but to form another one AND stop supporting these phonies and democrats.
5. Call the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Chicken-sh– Organizations at
1-212-318-6111 and tell them what you think.
10:01 am: “what about all the good work hillary has done in the last 10 years since that unfortunate moment of DIPLOMACY?”
And what about all of the great work that Senator Al D’amato did, both in his firm support for Israel and in using his position as head of the Senate Banking Committee to shame the greedy Swiss bankers who were illegally sitting on millions of dollars of money deposited in their banks by people who later died in the Holocaust, into giving that money back to the heirs of the victims? All of that good work for our community counted for EXACTLY NOTHING when liberal Jews wanted to put that liberal egomaniac Chuck The Sc—k Schumer into the Senate to fight for the Liberal Domestic Agenda. Sad to say, most of our community reacted like mindless lemmings and turned against Senator Al — some for no better reason than that Schumer happens to be Jewish, the poorest possible reason for voting for anyone. What a farce and an incredible slap in the face and stab in the back to someone who acted as a friend. So cry me no crocodile tears about poor little Shrillery Clinton.
to shame sarah palin in a public arena is the chillul hashem of the century. the hitler of iran..is dancing for joy, because the hitler of germany did not have to worry about a sarah palin in his time. she was ready to shout to the world of the impending doom for humankind… and who stops her from shouting to the world.. not hitler of germany or iran..but our own breathen disguised as rabbi’s and leaders. HASHEM YI’RACEM O’LEINU
What organization is behind this rally?
How do I register my protest at this incredibly stupid and partisan action?
Who appointed these so-called Jewish leaders, who have no backbone and succumb to the rabble socialist/marxist that have become the democratic party.
How do you allow yourself to be bullied by these fools? They can’t put partisan politics aside in dealing with the serious Irainian threat?
It would have been a real statement to have political representation from both parties. Now these so-called Jewish leaders exposed themselves as being a joke. If Hillary and the Dem’s can’t put Country first, that’s their problem.
This is embarrasing!!
BTW, i’m sure Obama is happy about this. He says himself, in his book (Audacity of a DOPE) that when push comes to shove, he will side with the Muslims.
JEWS……WAKE UP!!!!!
The last time in Jewish history that a prominent person was disinvited from an event was the Kamtza Bar Kamtza incident…and we all know what happened after that. The rally organizers (the Conference of Presidents and the JCRC) should try to pick up the pieces and reinvite all elected officials. Those that do not attend, eg. Hillary Clinton, do not have to.