Selection of Israel critic for US delegation to human rights forum raises concern

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/10/17/wa...elegation/

An outspoken critic of Israel who once said the Jewish state should be added to the list of 9/11 terror suspects was recently selected by the Obama administration to participate in an international forum on human rights -- sparking outcry from watchdog groups.

The participant, Muslim Public Affairs Council founder Salam al-Marayati, was tapped to be part of the U.S. delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe forum in Poland.

The State Department defended the selection. Christopher Midura, a spokesman with the U.S. Mission to the OSCE, said: “Mr. al-Marayati has been involved in U.S. government initiatives for almost 10 years and has been a valued and highly credible interlocutor on issues affecting Muslim communities. He was invited to participate in this year’s (event) as a reflection of the wide diversity of backgrounds of the American people.”

Yet others argue selecting al-Marayati was the wrong decision -- with implications that stretch far beyond his presence at the 10-day forum.

“I think it was a terrible idea,” said Frank Gaffney, founder of the Washington-based Center for Security Policy. “And it’s not just an isolated incident.”