Web EXCLUSIVE: Threats to sponsors may have led to Palin invite reversal

Exclusive to The Jewish Star online

By Mayer Fertig

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.

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 also was out, and that no other elected 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 Star.

“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.