Jewish leaders welcomed a decision to deny Iran’s president a visit to Ground Zero.
Reports that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had requested to visit the site drew widespread condemnation, including a statement Wednesday from the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations calling the proposed visit an “outrage.” Hours later, after a spokesperson for the NYPD clarified that the Iranian request had been denied, the conference issued a second statement welcoming the move.
“We welcome the declaration of New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly that President Ahmadinejad of Iran will not be allowed to visit Ground Zero or the area around it,” said the statement. “We appreciate the actions taken by all officials involved to prevent such an outrage.”
Ahmadinejad is expected in New York next week for the opening of the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly. A protest rally organized by Jewish groups is planned for Monday.
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