Kesher Talk

FBI director Mueller to meet with terrorist supporters: The New York Times reports today that Director Robert S. Mueller III's planned appearance at a meeting of the American Muslim Council has prompted protests because the organization supports terrorist groups and wants Israel dead.

"Mr. Mueller is scheduled to speak Friday at a luncheon during a meeting of the council in Alexandria, Va. In the past, the council has urged members to contribute to certain charities, some of whose assets have since been frozen by the United States for links to terrorists. Some members of the council have been accused of supporting militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah."

On CNN's "Wolf Blitzer Reports" last night, David Harris (executive director of the American-Jewish Committee) said, "The American Muslim Council for years has been identified with terrorist organizations, both abroad and here at home. They have been closely linked to organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah, which are organizations that our government has declared terrorist organizations. Why would the FBI director want to meet with a group that has served as an apologist and spokesman for terrorist operations, especially after September 11? ... This organization has had spokesmen who have stood in front of the White House and have publicly praised Hamas and Hezbollah."

Eric Vickers (executive director of the American Muslim Council) defended his group on the show right afterwards: "There has been this continuing process of Mr. Harris and others trying to subvert the ability of the 7 million Muslims in this country having a dialogue with their government. It is entirely appropriate for Director Mueller to meet with the Muslim Council. The American Muslim Council has been in this country since 1990. It is a mainstream organization. All these allegations of links to terrorism are simply baseless."

posted by Howard @ 6/27/2002 09:53:32 AM