metro
'Please, Mr. Governor
• • •
Snyder's speech to Muslim group riles some supporters of Israel.
Jackie Headapohl
David Sachs
Jewish News Staff
T
he Islamic Society of North America
(ISNA) held its 51st annual confer-
ence in Detroit from Aug. 29 to Sept
1. The conference was titled "Generations
Rise: Elevating Muslim American Culture'
Conference organizers said the event's goal
was to "foster the development of the Muslim
community, interfaith relations, civic engage-
ment and better understanding of Islam:'
The keynote speaker was former President
Jimmy Carter, author of the book Palestine:
Peace, Not Apartheid, which many supporters
of Israel consider to be a blatant anti-Israel
diatribe. The Georgia Democrat was sched-
uled to speak about his latest book, A Call to
Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power.
Another scheduled speaker on Aug. 29 was
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder — which angered
some in the Jewish community who believe
that ISNA is a front group for Hamas in the
Gaza Strip and the radical anti-Israel Muslim
Brotherhood.
Ed Kohl of West Bloomfield, a Republican
like Snyder, was one several letter writers in
a campaign to the governor's office prior to
Aug. 29 to dissuade him from speaking. (See
his letter in sidebar).
Nineteen of the letter writers sent copies
to the Jewish News. Kohl said many of them
had never written to a politician before, but
were so incensed with the governor's sched-
uled appearance they were compelled to do
so.
The JN asked Snyder's office for a
response. The reply the JN received from
Snyder's press secretary, Sara Wurfel, on Aug.
26 follows:
"The Governor is slated to attend the
opening of the annual convention of the
Islamic Society of North America — held
this year in Detroit starting this weekend.
"He will welcome thousands (organiz-
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18 September 4 • 2014
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ers are planning on 20,000 — many of
whom have never been to the city or state)
to Detroit, Michigan, highlighting the city's
resurgence and state's comeback and recog-
nizing Muslim American contributions to
the city, state and country and the opportu-
nities that exist for everyone to work togeth-
er to achieve prosperity and understanding.
"Michigan is a welcoming state with a
proud, diverse heritage, including a large
number of people of both the Jewish and
Islamic faiths.
"I would note that ISNA has been con-
sistent in rejecting all acts of terrorism and
violence, and congressional investigations
and inquiries have resulted in unfounded
❑
Letter To The Governor
BETH EL
For more
information contact
Laura Lucassian at
Ilucassian@tbeonline.org
or 248-851-1100.
Gov. Rick Snyder
claims and no ties to terrorism, and the
organization has as its mission 'to foster the
development of the Muslim community,
interfaith relations, civic engagement, and
better understanding of Islam7
Two days later, the governor's press secre-
tary wrote again to the JN:
"I would also point out that ISNA has
recognized the right of Israel to exist, and
has advocated for a 'just and fair settlement
of disputes between Israel, the Palestinians,
and their neighbors through diplomacy and
other peaceful means:
"And as you hopefully know, the governor
is proud to recognize the strong contribu-
tions of the Jewish community and heri-
tage — not only in the Metro Detroit area
but across Michigan. He has been a strong
proponent, and as you know, has traveled to
Israel as recently as last year.
"He has signed memorandums of under-
standing with Israel, including one just this
summer on industrial R&D projects, and we
have several key efforts with the Jewish com-
munity in Michigan:'
When asked if he still intended to vote for
Snyder, Kohl said, "I am very disappointed
that Gov. Snyder would share the stage with
Jimmy Carter, but we need a governor who
adheres by conservative principles and fiscal
and personal integrity. We should not punish
other Conservative candidates due to Gov.
Snyder's misguided appearance at the ISNA
conference:'
joy
Dear Governor Snyder,
I strongly suggest you cancel your speaking
engagement at the ISNA (Islamic Society of North
America) conference on August 29.
You must know ISNA is a front group for the
Muslim Brotherhood, which has vowed to destroy
the Constitution and our government. ISNA has
been identified by the FBI as a co-conspirator in
the funding of terrorist organizations.
As an American and recently elected Republican
precinct delegate and worker for Terri Lynn
Land's campaign, I am ashamed that you would
associate yourself with ISNA and share the podium
with a proven anti-Semite such as Jimmy Carter.
Do want your everlasting legacy to be remembered
as a supporter of an anti-American organization
and involvement with Jimmy Carter?
Regards,
Ed Kohl
West Bloomfield