Israel Matzav

Ellison speaks at fundraiser for unindicted co-conspirator

Congressman Keith Ellison (D-Minn) (pictured with Nancy Pelosi and Shimon Peres) spoke at a fundraiser for CAIR (the Council on American Islamic Relations) in Arizona on Friday, over objections from one of Arizona's Senators and two of its Congressional Representatives (Hat Tip: Memeorandum).

U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and U.S. Reps. Trent Franks and John Shadegg, both Arizona Republicans, wrote a letter urging Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., to shun the Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

"We are deeply concerned that any official support of this organization would undermine the legitimate concerns of federal investigators about CAIR's relationship to foreign terrorist organizations," the letter said.

But Ellison, a Muslim convert, came anyway and was applauded by about 300 people who attended a dinner at the Hilton Phoenix East/ Mesa. Ellison spoke about the fresh start in relations with Islamic countries under President Barack Obama's administration.

"I would never associate myself with anyone even soft on terrorism," he said before the speech. "We all want to fight terror. We all want to live in a safe community."

The fears Kyl, Franks and Shadegg expressed in the letter are "ridiculous," he said.

If there is any truth to the allegations that CAIR supports the Palestinian terrorist organization, Ellison said, there should be arrests and prosecutions.

And for those who have forgotten:

CAIR was labeled as a front group for Hamas by an FBI agent during last year's trial and conviction of five former organizers of the Holy Land Foundation, who were found guilty of funneling $12 million to Hamas.

CAIR also was named an "unindicted co-conspirator" in the Holy Land trial.

Okay, so I took out the politically correct "Jasser and others say" at the beginning of that second quote. Whether or not CAIR was a front group for Hamas, the very fact that they were named an unindicted co-conspirator ought to have been enough to warn off a Congressman from speaking to them.

By the way, anyone know why Arizona's other Republican Senator didn't join in trying to stop Ellison from going? Maybe it's Meghan's law.... Heh.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:24 PM