Gore Vidal Speaks To 92nd Street Y

The New York Post reports: GORE Vidal, who’s been accused of anti-Semitism, is scheduled to speak at the 92nd Street Y next week to promote his book "Gore Vidal: Snapshots in History’s Glare," a collection of his personal photographs with commentary. Former mayor Ed Koch offers two possible explanations. "Those who invited him are, as Jews, either most forgiving, or schmucks. The latter word is intended to cover masochists," Koch told blogger Evan Gahr. Mort Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, said, "It is appalling that a Jewish institution would make a reckless decision to give a podium to Gore Vidal. He has continually displayed enormous antipathy towards Israel and Jews." Vidal’s literary executor, Jay Parini, who will interview the author at the Y, told Gahr, "I’ve known Vidal for three decades, and I know that he does not hate Jews. In fact, he admires them and the vast accomplishments of countless Jews over the years. He has had quarrels with the Likud Party in Israel, as have many Israelis."