We collected over 20,000 signatures in 24 hours asking Iran Unity rally organizer Malcolm Hoenlein to take Sarah Palin off the schedule for Monday’s rally, and he caved to our pressure on Thursday afternoon citing the fact that the rally had become too partisan.
This is the right decision. A unity rally to express communal
solidarity is no place for partisan politics. And to give such
prominence to Sarah Palin alone would have spoken neither to, nor for,
the American Jewish community.
This is a victory not just for the 20,188 others who signed
J Street’s petition. It’s a victory for the broader community. And
we’re pleased the rally’s organizers came to their senses so quickly.
Victories like these don’t come easily – or often. But when they do, we should savor them, at least briefly.
We’ll be back at it tomorrow, because our next task is making sure that
the messages at the rally reflect the view of a majority of Americans –
Jewish and otherwise – that the best way to deal with Iran is through
tough, smart diplomacy – not saber rattling and threats of force.