Send Page to a Friend Jewish Community Denounces Khatami Visit to Harvard University   (September 6, 2006) The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston issued the following statement regarding the planned visit and speech of former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government on the issue of "ethics of tolerance" in an age of violence. "JCRC is deeply disappointed that Harvard University will allow itself to serve as a platform for one of the world's most anti-Semitic and extremist leaders. Former Iranian President Mohammed Khatami has expressed his goal to destroy Israel and promote violent jihad against the West on numerous occasions. It is entirely inappropriate that Harvard University would welcome a man who has advanced international terrorism and supports the destruction of another country. The Jewish community urges Harvard University to rescind its invitation to this hateful man." JCRC President Jim Segel and Executive Director Nancy Kaufman, both graduates of the Kennedy School of Government, stand with Governor Mitt Romney in his decision to withhold taxpayer-funded police escorts and VIP treatment for Khatami during his visit to the area. "The U.S. State Department listed Khatami's Iran as the number one state sponsor of terrorism," Governor Romney said in a statement yesterday. "Within his own country, Khatami oversaw the torture and murder of dissidents who spoke out for freedom and democracy.  For him to lecture Americans about tolerance and violence is propaganda, pure and simple." During its unprovoked attacks on Israel this summer, Khatami described the terrorist group Hezbollah as a "shining sun that illuminates and warms the hearts of all Muslims and supporters of freedom in the world."