HASIDIC JEWS, IRAN, FIND COMMON CAUSE

Monday, January 15, 2007(AP). [wait a minute, this must be a joke - ed.]. Wearing a badge that said “A Jew is not a Zionist” in English, Hebrew, and Arabic, Orthodox Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss of Monsey, New York, a member of the Mishuganisher Chasidim and spokesman and assistant director of a small anti-Zionist group called “Neturei Karta,” traveled to Teheran to meet with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran. Also present was Holocaust denier and former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. [Now I'm sure it's a joke - ed.]

Rabbis Weiss does not deny the Holocaust in which he lost several relatives, but apparently doesn’t mind hanging out with those who do. To Rabbi Weiss’ question, “Where can I get a good Pastrami sandwich in Teheran?” President Ahmadinejad joked, “Pastrami? Go back to Delancey Street,” and broke out a warm, brotherly grin. Returning home, Rabbi Weiss invited Mel Gibson to join his schul. [Not even a good joke - ed.]

On a personal note, this reporter was warmed by the sight of a Chasidic Rabbi, in kaftan and payes, sharing a meeting with a notorious professional bigot and hugging a raving anti-semitic holocaust denier. Can peace in the world be far behind?