patching...
Update: Get Fort Lee News, 'Like' Fort Lee Patch on Facebook »
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Congressional Candidate Calls for Libya to Sell Englewood Mansion in Wake of Attacks

Rabbi says officials should revoke tax-free status on sprawling estate.

 

Republican congressional candidate Rabbi Shmuley Boteach called on the Libyan government to sell its Englewood mansion next door to his home and donate the proceeds to rebuilding the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, which was stormed by militants in an attack that killed the American ambassador and members of his staff.

“That would be an incredible gesture to show the American people that the Libyan people care,” the 9th District candidate said at a rally Thursday.  

Boteach condemned violent outbursts sparked by an online video mocking Muslims and depicting the Prophet Muhammad as a child-molester. J. Christopher Stevens, the American ambassador to Libya, was killed amid angry protests over the video.

While the motivations and timing of the apparently well-planned attack in Benghazi remained murky, Boteach said he was fed up with official statements on the video.

“I am tired of hearing American officials waste their time condemning this film,” he said.

“There’s a lot of sewage that comes out of the lens of a camera, but to use that as an excuse for murder is repugnant in the extreme and what we ought to be condemning right now is the cold-blooded murder of an American ambassador,” Boteach said.

Libya should sell the East Hill property, which Boteach estimated would go for at least $10 million, and donate the funds to the state department and the families of those killed in Benghazi, he said. Still, the rabbi did not fault Libyan officials in the deaths, but raised questions about the response of security forces.

“What happened in Benghazi is one of the most disgusting modern international incidents that I have ever witnessed,” he said.

Boteach said the estate’s tax-exempt status should be revoked and chastised the residents for not flying flags at half-mast in honor of the slain Americans. Officials at the Libyan Mission in New York City could not be reached for comment late Thursday.

The rabbi waged a public battle in 2009 to block then-Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi from staying at the sprawling estate during the U.N. General Assembly. It is not clear who has been occupying the mansion since Gaddafi’s death and the collapse of his regime.

“This property should not be here,” Boteach said. “Englewood is not the United Nations.”

Follow Englewood-Englewood Cliffs Patch on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our free daily newsletter

Related Topics: Shmuley Boteach

Leen Mosley

7:10 am on Friday, September 14, 2012

Are we a nation of law, or an eye for an eye people? Is intolerance our reference for our own behavior? What does diplomatic and/or tax status have to do with the events in Lybya? The idiot who produced the video and the mob are on one level; on which level are you?

Reply

Keith Kaplan

8:55 am on Friday, September 14, 2012

I fail to understand what selling this residence has to do with..... oh, forget it, I just figured it out. It's the property NEXT to his, which means he has a reason to speak about it - "I can see Libya from my house?"

The Libyan people can be seen on video and pictures condemning such attacks and standing with the Americans. They risked personal life and limb to bring our ambassador to a hospital, although it was unfortunately, too late.
Look at them here: http://imgur.com/a/tlCyI

To use the DEATH OF AN AMERICAN DIPLOMAT as an excuse for a political comment, which is what Mr. Boteach's little rambling actually is, is despicable.

The government of Libya DOES have a responsibility of protection of foreign diplomats (as we do here), but not even American intelligence forecasted the need for additional security on the anniversary of 9/11. Without more information, I can't find fault (yet) with the newly formed government of Libya.

Reply

David Sudranski

9:06 am on Friday, September 14, 2012

I think it's despicable that our government never thought to increase security at all embassies in the middle east region on 9/11. Why are we so dumb not to have figured out by now that the lunatic Muslims out there are ALWAYS watching us and waiting for us to let our guard down. As much as we mourn our loss on 9/11 every passing year they will plan to attack us again and again on the same date.

Reply
Comment_arrow

William Mays

5:18 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

Not all Muslims are lunatics, I'm sure that most Muslims are just as disgusted by this as you are.

Comment_arrow

Jack B Goode

8:57 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012

I agree, the buck stops with the faker in the White House, does anyone feel safe with him as Commander-in Chief?

Comment_arrow

Abraham

11:32 am on Monday, February 11, 2013

William Mays: He didn't say ALL Muslims are lunatics. He said that there are "lunatic Muslims out there" who are "waiting for us to let our guard down." In any case, why don't we let the other Muslims speak for themselves, if they are so disgusted? Let's hear their voices.

shimon baum

9:46 am on Friday, September 14, 2012

If only Boteach would sell his house as well.

Reply
Comment_arrow

wdeptuch

4:44 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

He's only annoyed because he lives right next door and a couple years ago they were having construction done that was bothering him.

Baba O'Riley

12:10 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

Did we let our guard down again? What a surprise (not) if we did. Have we not learned that most of the people in the Middle East and Northern Africa do not like us!? If the government of Libya was complicit in this action then diplomatic steps should be taken; if not then this is a non-issue. Nothing like a politician grandstanding during a crisis (right out of Rahm Emanuel's playbook)!

Reply

Art Elmers

12:47 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

Pure and simple, this was a failure of our intelligence agencies. Or maybe there was no action taken when warning signs went up. Sound familiar? Over the next few weeks or months every bit of intel will be gone over with a fine tooth comb. It was obvious to me, and hopefully others, on day one that this was not the result of a protest but a planned attack. What will hopefully come out is who knew what and when they knew it. I don't feel that Libya was behind this as they are trying to put their country back together and this does not benefit them at all. Some individuals inside the Lybian security forces might have provided (leaked) information as to the location of the safe house attacked as Marines were rescuing US personel. Years ago I read a book about Sept 11th that said that it doesn't matter whether we have people in the Middle East or whether we withdraw. That in the eyes of a few radical islamists the United States is the new Satan and must be destroyed. I thank all those who perished for their service and the fact that they are keeping this fight away from our shores.

Reply

Marsha Greenberg

1:18 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

Anyone who thinks it's no big deal to have a Libyan mission in their neighborhood obviously doesn't live there and doesn't have to see the Libyan flag flying there. I passed it the other day AFTER the Ambassador and 3 others were murdered.It's sickening. I agree with Shmuely, they should be KICKED OUT. What's the matter with you people??

Reply
Comment_arrow

wdeptuch

4:46 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

Your sick of seeing a flag? close your eyes. Because technically anyone can fly a flag.

Comment_arrow

William Mays

5:18 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

The embassy was attacked by the radicals and condemned by the same government that owns the mansion. If I lived in Englewood, I wouldn't care, I drive past it a lot on the way back from the gym, doesn't bother me at all and I'm Jewish. Rabbi Attention Whore needs to realize that he has no chance, even with the 500k donation he got from his pimp, Sheldon Adelson.

Luca D.

1:44 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

There is a serious problem with the current administration's foreign policy when it's knee jerk reaction is to apologize to the world for our right to free speech in producing a film instead of addressing the fact that lives were lost, men were tortured, American flags burned and we as a nation were again ridiculed. The fact that the rabbi brought attention to the atrocities should be commended, preferably without the "running for congress" sign.

The burning of a US Consulate and a US embassy made Page 3 of the New York Times. Reason being, the media does not feel that the public cares.

Reply
Comment_arrow

William Mays

5:05 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

Condemning the asshole that made the film and apologizing are two different things. This guy wouldn't care about the mansion if it wasn't next to to his house.

wdeptuch

4:43 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

He wants it sold be cause IT IS RIGHT NEXT TO HIS HOUSE!!! Literally next to his house, they had construction a couple of years back and he was upset over it.

Reply

John Santaella

5:34 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

The Libyan's were in Englewood before Shmuley Boteach moved to Englewood. Why did he purchase this house if he objects to the Libyans so much?

Reply

Tracy Mattei

8:57 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

And the detail that seems to be overlooked---the man who wrote and created the video is not even American.....but we are being blamed.

Reply

V. Scheurich

10:11 pm on Friday, September 14, 2012

Here are your top ten terror tied C.A.I.R. leaders listed with an article attached defining their involvement and support of terror:

1. Ghassan Elashi
2. Muthanna al-Hanooti
3. Abdurahman Alamoudi
4. Siraj Wahhaj
5. Randall "Ismail" Royer
6. Bassam Khafagi
7. Laura Jaghlit
8. Nihad Awad
9. Omar Ahmad
10. Nabil Sodoun

http://creepingsharia.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/rogues-gallery-of-terror-tied-cair-leaders/

http://weaselzippers.us/2011/11/17/fbi-report-shows-only-13-of-religious-hate-crimes-targeted-muslims-65-were-anti-jewish/

http://weaselzippers.us/2012/07/24/cair-demands-pentagon-drop-anti-islam-speaker/

Reply

Rocco Caputo

10:53 am on Saturday, September 15, 2012

We all condemn the violence, Boteach goes to far, seem to have a presonal problem.

Reply

John Pellegrino

1:16 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012

The Libyan government is legally responsible to protect the American Embassy and Consulates.

It is a complete outrage to have an embassy violated and a diplomat murdered.

What is wrong with asking (asking not saying they have to) the extremely rich Libyan government to use its assets to compensate the murder victim's family?

A New Jersey congressional district that had a view of the Twin Towers will vote with those who condemn extreme Islamic murderers, not those who apologize for them.

Reply
Comment_arrow

William Mays

1:34 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012

No one has apologized to them. Condemning the person who made the video and then also blamed the video on the Jews and apologizing are two different things. Whats wrong is that he has a huge conflict of interest in this matter. This district will elect Bill Pascrell and not bow down to Sheldon Adelson.

Al Norton

9:44 pm on Saturday, September 15, 2012

Yea Bill Pascrell who last night gives a speech to the VFW on his efforts to help brain trauma soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.Certainly a good cause but he's part of an administration that are weak poll peeking apologists to the core. We ought to rename the Democratic Party,the Neville Chamberlain party. And after seeing peoples heads cut off on the internet,diplomats assassinated and dragged through the streets, we have a problem selling property in Englewood? Shameful really.Vote the complete Obama adminstration out.

Reply
Comment_arrow

William Mays

1:37 am on Sunday, September 16, 2012

Get this in your head, saying that the video was wrong and apologizing are two different things.

Al Norton

12:38 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012

We can look forward to FBI investigation in Benghazi and rounding up usual suspects which will in all probability will not get extradited and whitewash will continue.Better yet if extradited,numbnuts AG Eric Holder will put em on trial in Foley Square, NYC. Apoligists to the core!!! Send em all packing!!!

Reply
Comment_arrow

William Mays

12:49 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012

You must be still surprised why you didn't get elected.

Al Norton

8:24 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012

Billy, come on you voted for me, admit it!!!!!I

Reply
Comment_arrow

William Mays

11:28 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012

I was considering voting for you, but then you started saying stupid stuff.

Jack B Goode

9:04 pm on Monday, September 17, 2012

What exactly is this Administration's position on this crime? does anyone know? There has been so mus onflicting misinformation because of the pacifist nature of the apologist--in-chief.
I understand if someone doesn't like Romney, but how could anyone with a brain and a memory vote for this dangerous charlatan in the White House?

Reply

Al Norton

9:18 am on Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Jack the appeasor in chief has no plans except to send out sniveling mouthpiece Jay Carney to maintain blame on the film and proclaim "ongoing investigation".Egyptian government now has "arrest warrants" on filmaker. Salmon Rushdie " death fatwa" sure to follow. Benghazi will be swept under the rugs. Feckless fools in the White House.

Reply

Al Norton

8:32 am on Friday, September 21, 2012

The Appeasor in Chief (BHO) and his sniveling mouthpiece (Jay Carney) are now calling the 9/11 attack in Benghazi a "terrorist attack".What a disgrace to the victims of the original 9/11.Has anyone seen Hillary lately,complicit in the original coverup,seems to be quiet lately. Maybe we should enlist the Keystone Cops as a step up in our foreign policy!!!

Reply

Al Norton

6:51 pm on Monday, October 8, 2012

Kudos to CBS tonight in their evening news to continue the investigation into Benghazi. The Appeasor in Chief (BHO) is not being allowed to whitewash this tragedy.
Truth be told the Obama Whitehouse,DOD and State Department had ample warning of this attack.By placing blame elsewhere brings the term politician to a new low!!

Reply

Al Norton

11:16 am on Sunday, October 21, 2012

I am no idealogue hawk but as everyone suspected and now confimed, Bengazi was a terrorist attack and known immediately.Political expediency dictated the cover-up with Clinton now being thrown under the bus. Tough to always measure candidates but Obama wouldn't have his contract renewed as CEO of corporation on merit and his cover up of 4 American deaths is a disgusting measure of him and his administration.Vote out Obama,Biden,Clinton and enabler Pascrell !!

Reply

Leave a comment