Atlanta Jewish Times Column Suggests 'Hit' on President

ATLANTA - The publisher of a small Atlanta weekly is now drawing international condemnation for a column he wrote that goes far beyond merely criticizing the president.

In a Jan. 13 column in the Atlanta Jewish Times, owner and publisher Andrew Adler wrote that one of three options for Israel in dealing with the threat of a nuclear Iran could be to "take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel."

He reiterated it. "Yes, you read 'three' correctly. Order a hit on the president in order to preserve Israel’s existence."

Adler said he wrote the piece “to get a reaction from the Jewish community.”

The reaction has come from critics from across the globe.

In a statement sent to FOX 5 on Sunday, Mr. Opher Aviran who serves as the Consul General of Israel to the Southeast said that he was "appalled at this deranged and morally repugnant assertion. We condemn such calls in the strongest possible terms."

Abraham Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League said,” There is absolutely no excuse, no justification, no rationalization for this kind of rhetoric…These are irresponsible and extremist words…an apology cannot possibly repair the damage."

Andrew Adler told FOX 5’s Justin Gray that he wasn't advocating an attack on the president.

“I apologize. I truly apologize if it comes across that way,” said Adler.

He says he's been flooded with angry emails and phone calls.

“In next week's issue there will be a huge apology on my part,” Adler said.

The U.S. Secret Service, which is charged with protecting the president, told FOX 5, "We are aware of this matter, and we will make all appropriate, investigative follow-up in regard to this matter"

Adler said he will apologize to the president, to Israel and to his readers in the next issue of the Atlanta Jewish Times.

The Atlanta Jewish Times dates back to the 1920s. Andrew Adler bought it in 2009