A speaker scheduled to address the Clinton Global Initiative dinner Tuesday night certainly raises eyebrows—particularly for those who say Hillary Clinton is committed to the long-term security of Israel.
Hanan al-Hroub, a Palestinian teacher, winner of the $1 million Global Teacher Prize this year from the Varkey Foundation, was a last-minute addition to the list of speakers for the event, according to the Clinton campaign. Others say she was left off the list of speakers in order to avoid the criticism that is now being leveled against the Democratic presidential nominee.
Al-Hroub’s husband, Omar, is a chemist who provided chemicals used to make bombs used in a 1980 attack in Hebron that killed six Israelis who were walking home from Friday night Sabbath prayers. He later served 10 years in prison following a conviction over his role in the terrorist attack.
“In the wake of this weekend’s attacks, granting a platform to the spouse of a terrorist bomb-maker, just miles away from where explosives were detonated days ago, is an insult to the victims and makes a mockery of the Clinton Foundation,” Republican National Committee deputy communications director Raj Shah said.
Additionally, the Varkey Foundation, which has given between $1 million and $5 million to the Clinton Foundation, is the charitable arm of GEMS Education. A global for-profit K-12 education company, GEMS Education has paid Bill Clinton about $6.2 million since 2010 for consulting work, according to tax returns released by Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
“Today’s report that the Clinton Foundation is feting the wife of a Palestinian man convicted of helping bomb innocent Israeli citizens is deeply disturbing, especially in the wake of this weekend’s attacks,” Donald Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller said. “The decision to honor the wife of a terrorist by Hillary Clinton’s foundation shows a complete lack of judgment and a callousness that should disqualify her from holding the presidency.”
