US anti-Semitism envoy misses Ukraine conference
Ira Forman cites government shutdown in apology to organizers; landmark event marks 100th anniversary of Beilis blood libel trial
By JTA October 16, 2013, 1:53 am
... Ira Forman, the Obama administration’s special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, canceled his attendance at a landmark conference in Kiev because of the US government shutdown, according to a conference organizer.
Forman, who was scheduled to be the opening speaker Tuesday at the two-day conference marking the 100th anniversary of the Beilis blood libel trial, canceled shortly before its opening with an apology to organizers of the high-profile event, JTA has learned.
“Mr. Forman has cited the shutdown,” said Eduard Dolinsky, executive director of the Ukrainian Jewish Committee, in reference to the standoff that began when Congress missed an Oct. 1 deadline to pass a budget ...
http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-envoy-misses-anti-semitism-conference/