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Sestak Speech to Muslim Group Creates Uproar
Freshman Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) has ignited a controversy after agreeing to be the keynote speaker at an April 7 banquet and fundraiser hosted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia chapter. CAIR is the largest Muslim civil rights group in the country, with 30 chapters nationwide. Jewish organizations and conservative groups have criticized CAIR for not labeling Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, and for not speaking out specifically against suicide bombings against Israelis.

Sestak’s acceptance of the invitation has particularly enraged members of the Philadelphia Jewish community, who bombarded him with critical questions at a forum last week. Most of the questions during the two-hour meeting dealt with the CAIR fundraiser.

The brouhaha began two weeks ago when Sestak’s outreach coordinator, Adeeba Al-Zaman, booked the congressman for an event his aides presented as a banquet. But CAIR’s Philadelphia chapter put out fliers billing the congressman as the featured speaker at a fundraiser. Al-Zaman is the former director of communications for CAIR’s Philadelphia chapter.

Sestak said he will reiterate his “strong support for Israel” and criticize the terrorist groups in his speech. He added that he hasn’t seen any instance where CAIR has specifically singled out Hamas and Hezbollah for criticism. “I can’t find where it’s ever condemned Hamas and Hezbollah by name,” Sestak said.
We'll be waiting to see what you say in your speech. If CAIR lets reporters in , that is.
At the same time, Sestak also said CAIR was a “legitimate organization” and singled out their “good work” in fighting racial profiling.

In 2006 Sestak handily defeated GOP Rep. Curt Weldon, aided in part by a pre-election Department of Justice investigation into the Republican’s lobbying ties.
Damn poor trade the voters of my district made...
Posted by: Dave D. 2007-03-20
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=183476