Local Jews hold mixed views on Iranian's visit
By Debra Glidden
The Daily Item of Lynn
Some members of the local Jewish community believe Harvard University should not allow a former Iranian president to speak on the eve of 9/11 at Harvard University.
Mohammed Khatami, who was in office from 1997 to 2005, is slated to speak at Harvard University's John. F. Kennedy School of Government on Sunday. Khatami oversaw the torture and murder of dissidents and the development of Iran's secret nuclear program.
Swampscott resident Nancy K. Kaufman, who holds a master's degree in public administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, said she is outraged.
"I'm not happy with my alma mater," she said. "This is the man who oversaw the murder and torture of dissidents who spoke out for democracy. For him to lecture Americans about tolerance and violence is propaganda, pure and simple. I believe in freedom of speech but this is very inappropriate."
Swampscott resident Desiree Gil had two daughters studying in Israel in July when the fighting intensified between Israel and the Hezbollah terrorists, who are loyal to Syria and Iran. Gil said she is horrified by the situation in Israel.
"As for Harvard shame on them," she said. "He should not have been invited to speak."
Kaufman has been the Executive Director of The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Boston for 11 years and the organization as a whole is denouncing the planned visit and Khatami's speech 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," Kaufman said. "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."
Gov. Mitt Romney ordered all state agencies to refuse any assistance when the former president visits Massachusetts this weekend.
"State taxpayers should not be providing special treatment to an individual who supports violent jihad and the destruction of Israel," he said in a recent statement.
Romney said by inviting Khatami to speak at the university has disgraced the memory of all Americans who lost their lives at the hands of extremists.
Kaufman agreed and said allowing Khatami to speak on the eve of 9/11 adds insult to injury.
But resident Richard Feinberg disagreed. He said he would never go hear Khatami, but he defended his right to speak.
"I think Romney is way off base," he said. "As distasteful as his (Khatami) message may be he has the right to speak. Freedom of Speech is one of the principals of democracy."
