Last week President Obama appointed Hannah Rosenthal to serve as the State Department's Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. Rosenthal is the former head of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs.
The ADL's National Director Abraham Foxman issued the following statement:
"This appointment signals the continued seriousness of America's resolve to fight the anti-Semitism that we have seen gaining legitimacy in too many countries and to institutionalize that fight as an American foreign policy priority.
We look forward to working with Hannah Rosenthal to mobilize the significant political will and resources of the United States to broaden understanding abroad about the new forms of anti-Semitism permeating public discourse. Working with Secretary Clinton, and Assistant Secretary Michael Posner, we have no doubt that the Special Envoy will play an important role in encouraging countries to make the hard choices and to implement policy, legislative, judicial and educational measures to counter anti-Semitism."
President and CEO of The Jewish Council for Public Affairs Rabbi Steve Gutow also hailed the appointment stating:
"We applaud and welcome President Obama's appointment of Hannah Rosenthal as U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism. It gives us great pride to know that one of our own is being entrusted by the United States with this responsibility. During her tenure at JCPA, Hannah was a tireless advocate for Israel and social issues important to the Jewish community and we know she will bring the same enthusiasm and dedication to her new role in the Obama administration. We look forward to working with Hannah in her new capacity in efforts to promote tolerance and understanding to eradicate anti-Semitism across the globe."
This special department and envoy to monitor anti-semitism was established by the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004, sponsored by the late Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH). It mandates the State Department monitor and act against anti-Semitism.
On the department's website it states that "the Office of the Special Envoy To Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism (SEAS) advocates U.S. policy on anti-Semitism both in the U.S. and internationally. Anti-Semitism is discrimination against or hatred toward Jews. SEAS develops and implements policies and projects to support efforts to combat anti-Semitism."
Ironically some pro-Israel activist are now accusing Rosenthal of not being pro-Israel enough due to a statement she made about anti-Jewish attacks in Europe in retaliation for Israel's actions, where she said, "I'll tell you point-blank, I have two grown daughters, and I didn't think that my kids were going to have to deal with some of the same anti-Semitism that I did as the daughter of Holocaust survivors," Rosenthal said. "It's a scary time, with people losing the ability to differentiate between a Jew, any Jew, and what's going on in Israel."
Rosenthal is right to point out that people sometimes fail to differentiate between Jews and Israel's actions, however the department she is appointed to will further associate Jews with the government's infringement on the right to privacy and freedom of speech. If she is concerned about the rise in anti-semitism she should ask that Jews be treated the same as all other American citizens and not demand special privileges.
The department defines anti-semitism as "Traditional anti-Jewish prejudice that has pervaded Europe and some countries in other parts of the world for centuries. This includes ultra-nationalists and others who assert that the Jewish community controls governments, the media, international business, and the financial world. Strong anti-Israel sentiment that crosses the line between objective criticism of Israeli policies and anti-Semitism. Anti-Jewish sentiment expressed by some in Europe's growing Muslim population, based on longstanding antipathy toward both Israel and Jews, as well as Muslim opposition to developments in Israel and the occupied territories, and more recently in Iraq.
Criticism of both the United States and globalization that spills over to Israel, and to Jews in general who are identified with both."
Based on the departments own definition of anti-semitism it is hypocritical to attack those who accuse the Jewish community of wielding power over the Government while their department proves that these organizations were able to lobby the government for special privileges. They attempt to label those who are critics of America and Israel's policies in the middle east and Globalization as anti-Semites.
The department also has a strong focus on monitoring anti-semitism around the world especially in the Muslim world. At the signing of the bill President Bush said that "The U.S. Government is committed to monitoring and combating anti-Semitism throughout the world as an important human rights and religious freedom issue." Keep on mind we do not even have a department to monitor anti-Americanism abroad and there is a lot of intolerance in the world against many different groups.
What is disturbing about this, is that it creates a thought crime department and grants one group of people special privileges over all other Americans. No other group of people have a similar department to address their concerns. There are already private organizations such as the ADL to monitor anti-semitism but now they have a government agency to do that. Ethnic and religious bigotry cannot be eradicated by the government but will only increase when the government uses its power to favor the rights of one group of people over all others which will only lead to further resentment against that group. If these special interest groups really wanted to end anti-semitism they would lobby for equal rights for all Americans and not special privileges for themselves.
Comments
Is this better, worse or the same as the Black Caucus idea ?
The author completely misses the point. Antisemitism is a plague and the government is doing something to help combat it. Why is he so furious over it? Why also does he make this claim about a supposed "though crime" when there is no suggestion of attaching criminality to anti-semitism. He also wrenches the definition of anti-semitism out of context by claiming that it says ANY "criticism of Israel is anti-semitism." There is a specific caveat to that. Of course it's a self-fulfilling prophecy because he's waiting for a Jew to call him an anti-semite and then say, "see they consider everything antisemitism." But after pointing that out I must also add that it's clear he's got an axe to grind with Jews and IS and antisemite.
I agree with the author. The comment by "John" is silly and obviously racist.
The argument is "why?" should one group be allowed an "official" government person to "monitor," such comments? Why not a WHOLE department with "officials" that monitor anti-Vietnamese speech or anti-Arab, or anti-whoever?
There is already the ADL. Makes perfectly good sense to leave that kind of "enforcement" out of the picture.
This opinion is not anti-Semitic, but critical of "favortism" of one group over another.
Paul,
Come on now. You certainly are not suggesting you want you ass kicked? That would be silly. That comment alone makes me wonder if you are not a teenager.
Now, let me tell you something kid, whether you are Jewish, Muslim, Mongolian or Ugandan, I DON'T care. It is NOT going to change my world one way or the other.
I suggest your arrogance is beyond your intellectual capacity to support. Regardless of how far you "advanced" in school. I am inclinded to believe you did not learned a whole lot.
I could very well Jewish myself fool. So don't think you have a monopoly on thought and do not thinks ALL Jews think alike.
Perhaps you should READ Norman Finkelstein?
Check out You Tube if you can't read a book. There are others, but he is an author hwo comes to mind.
ABSOLUTELY the SHOAH was on of the worst atrocites committed on mankind, BUT so was slavery, so was the destruction of Native Americans (I can go on if you wish).
Continued:
The problem with Jews like you is that you more than likely hateful. Meaning you are probably against the state of Palestine (am I right?)
So, therefore folks who criticize you in that are also considered "anti-Semite."
Anyone who does not "go along with the program" is anti-Semite.
Well I will tell you kid, Jews have NO monopoly on persecution. Granted there has been an extended history of anti-Semitism and downright hate, in Europe since it's inception. There were pograms on an annual basios practically.
But that does NOT legitimate the NEED for an "Official Monitor" who make sure "anti-Semtism" does not grow.
I am willing to bet you have used the word schwartz MORE than a few times in your conversation. MAYBE there should be a "monitor" to watch over you?
Paul,
So, don't be silly enough to threaten me or anyone else you do not know. That is SHEER chutzpah and YOU ain't got it. You can rule out MOXIE as well.
If you want to hold a civilized conversation by all means do so, but you ARROGANCE is what led me to participate.
So SHUT the F up fool.
Paul, now you are jumping on "Pearl Girl" now I KNOW you are a young man who proably read about the Holocaust in your high school class and you ARE MAD.
I am too when I read about that. And BELIEVE me I have read more about that than you kid.
So, by all means, if you are a young man and a proud Jew., you SHOULD defend your identity.
But the issue is NOT the fact that you or the WOMAN who is the subject of this article, are Jewish. That IS NOT the issue. The issue is "Why ONLY Jews?'
Heck in THIS country I think you would have to admit that Jews have NOT suffered as badly as blacks, hispanics, or Native Americans.
So, the Guilt/Militancy are not going to work with me (and maybe some others), I will bet your punk-ass (kid) has never suffered in your life.
Paul
By all means write.
Leave your email. I will check out this site and get back to you.
if you PROMISE not to want to "kick my ass."
I am scared. I DON'T LIKE being scared. You know what I mean kid?
But I see you attacking RC as well. Which seems to suggest "rage." That COULD be a good thing, if you direct it. I believe you MIGHT be willing to LEARN something. IF not then let me know. MAYBE you already "know it all" and the rest of the world are idiots? (those who disagree with you)
Try not to be Dutch Schultz or Bugsy Siegel, huh? You AIN'T no "Superman" nor do you need to "show your colors" with me.
As I say, check out Finklestein. If you have not already. In order to argue with someone you MUST be willing to at least hear them out, and be willing to accept the possibility of changing or modifying your opinion.
If I do not hear from you when I cehck this site out. WE will call this conversation a day.
Paul,
PS: I BELIEVE you said: "Hate to sound like a typical "Jew". I am merely repeating what you yourself had acknoweldged, huh?
Frankly I am non-religious, but again I COULD have been born a Jew. One never knows does one?
As the first State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism I can state clearly state that whoever wrote this article is either an anti-Semite and trying hard to mask it, or lives under a rock. This office doesn't make other American's second class citizens, it fights anti-Semitism abroad but I wouldn't think that the author would take the time to discover that. The author suggests that SEAS is a "thought crime department." This article is a thought crime. Anti-Semitism is real and affects people around the world. I traveled to 28 countries as the Special Envoy fighting the same kind of racist hatred this author espouses. Anti-Semitism is real, this author's supposed article is the very reason this office was created. The author should stick to writing about garbage delivery because that's what he delivered in his article.
Greg,
I don't believe your comment:"clearly state that whoever wrote this article is either an anti-Semite and trying hard to mask it, or lives under a rock."
IS CLEAR.
In fact, the author states: "They attempt to label those who are critics of America and Israel's policies in the middle east and Globalization as anti-Semites."
He further says: "What is disturbing about this, is that it creates a thought crime department and grants one group of people special privileges over all other Americans. No other group of people have a similar department to address their concerns."
These comments appear CLEAR to me, and accurate.
Greg,
It is laudable that you have travelled around the world "rooting out" the evils of racism. But, surely ther is another "side" to the issue? One could argue (logically), that there IS a powerful lobby AIPAC that pretty much 'directs" foreign policy in the Middle East? Also, one could argue clearly that as far as the US is concerned, there are many other ethnic or relgious groups that would ALSO benefit from a U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat.. (you fill in the blank).
The suggestion of "privilege" is warranted.
But regardless of YOUR postion Gregg, it is NOT a valid argument to suggest the author is an anti-Semite. That would be TOO easy!!
Israel MUST come to terms with the situation in Palestine. That would be the most feasible way of reducing the "spread" of "anti-Zionism," which appears to also MORPH into an anti-Jewishness.
Israel and American Jews are NOT the same and YOU should be aware of that.
I, with you, agree that there will remain (and should remain a collective "guilt," for the atrocities committed during WW2 on the Jews, but that does not negate the responsibility of ALL people (Jew or Gentile) to HONESTLY critique what the Israelis are doing to their Semitic cousins.
If any people in THIS country need a "monitor" against racism I would argue it would have to be American blacks. You certainly could not (and would not) disagree with that premise?
Although you are a Jew that does not entitle you to be RIGHT, in this instance and frankly, I suspect your opinion is rather jaundiced. Even Goldman (the Judge) has had to "re-assess" his own views about Zionism.
Jews in this country at one time were at the forefront of social change. Heck most "left-wingers" (the leaders) were Jewish. Remember Emma Goldman in your history books?
Somewhere along the line "righteous" Jews, sold out. It is a TRUE Jew who makes the distinction between Zionism and Jewishness.
Anti-Semitism is a problem of the past.
Now anti-Gentilism is a growing problem, especially because of all the virulent hate speech by extremist Jewish organizations, not to speak of all the hate action aiming at stiffling free speech.
Global anti-Gentilism demands a united response - Answer to Denis MacShane
Since I can't post links here; please Google the above sentence. The article is found at blog.balder.org
I wonder what is going to happen when the people figure out the real reason why the central bankers built these tens of thousands of nuclear weapons and put a bunch on hair trigger status awaiting only an accident or mistake to launch them and destroy the mass of the human race in an afternoon of shooting?
Will the central bankers call the "Living Dead" anti semites as they come to shut down their prison camps, torture chambers and war machines and take away their power to issue money that they have wrongly used?
What will the ordinary people of England do when they learn that when their Queen was apprised of the nuclear strategy developed to destroy her subjects, replied "Let them be toast!" What will they do?
It is for sure that in time the people will figure it out.
Will the great grandchildren of our original nuclear war fighting elite go quietly?
From Their great grandparents through to them, As Voltaire predicted: They've proven deadly to the human race.
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