The New York Post's welcome basket. Photo: Screenshot.

“This isn’t gonna happen. You have to go,” staff at the New York Post were told by a Secret Service agent, when they tried to deliver a Jewish themed welcome basket to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at his believed midtown hotel lodgings.

The rejected package included a $125 ticket to off-Broadway play “Old Jews Telling Jokes” which was booked in his name, Gold’s Borscht, Manischewitz Gefilte Fish and a brochure for the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. “The Holocaust denier might want to learn something about the subject,” writes the Post.

A card included in the basket carried greeting from New Yorkers, mostly in the form of sarcastic insults.

“Happy New Year 5773. Available for counseling if you need it,” wrote Alan Hifler, a psychologist, “We’d gladly burn your tongue with coffee,” a woman added.

Although the Drudge Report cited a “source” yesterday claiming that the Iranian President had switched his accommodation plans, to stay at the Manhattan Hilton East instead of the plush Warwick Hotel, the report has not be confirmed, and he is still believed to be lodging at the Warwick.

Ahmadinejad is currently visiting New York City to address the 67th session of the United Nations General assembly, his speech is due to take place on the Jewish high holiday of Yom Kippur, September 26th.