Sharon cancels 9/11 trip to U.S.
WASHINGTON (JTA) — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is canceling a trip to the United States next month.
Sharon was expected to visit Florida and California, in part to commemorate the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
Sharon’s aides said the cancellation was caused by the security situation in Israel and the need to pass Israel’s budget, and not concerns that Sharon’s meeting with Republican Jeb Bush would benefit the Florida governor in his bid for re-election.
Supremacists plan mail blitz
WASHINGTON (JTA) — A U.S. white supremacist group is planning a nationwide mailing to coincide with the High Holy Days.
The National Alliance’s activities are planned to “honor” the group’s late leader, William Pierce, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Pierce died in July at age 68.
“William Pierce may be dead, but his legacy of hate and anti-Semitism live on,” said Abraham Foxman, the ADL’s national director. Other hate groups are planning to use the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks to spread racist and anti-Semitic messages, the ADL says.
Ashrawi event raises protests
NEW YORK (JTA) — A Jewish group has sent a letter to Colorado College, expressing concern that a Palestinian leader will be addressing the school about Sept. 11.
Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian spokeswoman, has been invited as the keynote speaker for a program on the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
In the letter, B’nai B’rith President Richard Heideman said “nothing she has said since the start of the Oslo process has promoted good will and understanding from the Palestinian side.”
B’nai B’rith defends award
WASHINGTON (JTA) — B’nai B’rith said one of its lodges acted “appropriately” in making a controversial award to an African-American soldier for his wartime service.
The group’s Berlin lodge gave Paul Parks an award in 2000 for “distinguished achievement and humanitarian spirit,” and did not mention his claims that he helped liberate Dachau.
After an investigation, B’nai B’rith said Tuesday that no eyewitnesses could confirm that Parks was present at the liberation. “Servicemen who were there and say they saw no African-American soldiers may be absolutely correct, but that does not prove Parks was not present after liberation,” a statement from the group said.
Palestinian comic booted by Mason
NEW YORK (JTA) — Comic Jackie Mason canceled a Palestinian comedian who was scheduled to open for him.
“It’s not exactly like he’s just an Arab-American. This guy’s a Palestinian,” Mason’s manager, Jyll Rosenfeld, said of Tuesday night’s decision.
Replaced performer Ray Hanania, who launched his career after Sept. 11 in an attempt to unify Americans, said, “I’m upset because I deserve to be on stage and it was a big break for me.”