Edwards campaign contests report of anti-Israel remarks

By Ed Lasky

John Edwards' campaign is strongly denying the report we cited yesterday that he saw a possible Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities as a major threat to world peace. AP reports

A spokesman for the 2008 Democratic candidate issued a statement Tuesday denying such a report on Variety.com. Columnist Peter Bart reported that Edwards told a Hollywood fundraiser last month that the possibility that Israel would bomb Iran's nuclear facilities is perhaps the greatest short-term threat to world peace.

The statement reads:

"The January 19th Variety article is erroneous," said Edwards spokesman Jonathan Prince. "Senator Edwards did not say nor does he believe that the greatest short-term threat to world peace is the possibility that Israel would bomb Iran's nuclear facilities. Senator Edwards said, as he has in the past, that Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon is one of the greatest short-term threats to world peace."

Peter Bart, who is editor in chief of Variety, a former studio head, and host of cable television program Sunday Morning Shootout, is no conservative, and has far more standing than a mere columnist in Hollywood. He is not backing away from his assertions:

Bart said Variety stands by its report. The host of the Jan. 9 fundraiser, Adam Venit of the Endeavor talent agency, did not respond to a message seeking comment.

One has to wonder if any recordings exist.