Clinton quits anti-Iran rally over Palin

By · September 17, 2008

Hillary Clinton pulled out of a Jewish-sponsored rally against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad upon learning that Sarah Palin would participate.

Organizers announced Tuesday that Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate and Alaska governor, will speak at the Sept. 22 rally organized by several Jewish groups to protest the Iranian president at the United Nations.

When Clinton aides were informed by reporters that Palin also would be participating, they became angry and said the New York senator would not participate, The Associated Press reported.

Clintonaccepted the invitation to speak several weeks ago, before the Democratic National Convention, according to Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, a key group organizing the rally.

Palin officials said the candidate tentatively planned to attend, since her schedule for that day has not yet been confirmed.

Other confirmed speakers include an Iranian dissident, a black minister, and Jewish and Israeli leaders, according to Hoenlein.

“The speakers represent the broad spectrum of American political life,” he told JTA.

The rally, part of efforts by Jewish groups to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, will be held at 11:45 a.m. It is expected to draw thousands of participants to Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, across from the United Nations.