I was disappointed to read your statement in response to Ms. Hannah Rosenthal's condemnation of Michael Oren's comments against the (American Jewish) organization J Street. In it, you write:
"As an official of the United States government, it is inappropriate for the anti-Semitism envoy to be expressing her personal views on the positions Ambassador Oren has taken as well as on the subject of who needs to be heard from in the Jewish community. Such statements have nothing to do with her responsibilities and, based upon comments I am already receiving, could threaten to limit her effectiveness in the area for which she is actually responsible."
Many aspects of your statement are of great concern to me. I fear that you may be falling into the same ruts that you accuse Ms. Rosenthal of being stuck in.
First, you state that U.S. government officials should not express their personal criticism of Ambassador Oren's views. Perhaps this is correct. However, the Obama administration recognizes the value of each person's voice and each organization's view, so Ms. Rosenthal criticizing the notion that some views are inherently invalid and not worthy is in keeping with the President's message of open dialogue and collaboration on a whole host of issues.
You also state that it is inappropriate for Ms. Rosenthal, as the anti-Semitism envoy, to express her views on "who needs to be heard from in the Jewish community." Your reasoning is that this area has nothing to do with her position in the administration as head of the Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is built on the assumption that all Jews are the same, and moreover, that Jews are inferior and deserving of hatred. Therefore, it seems to me that it is well within the purview of Ms. Rosenthal, and certainly in the interest of American Jews, to ensure that as many Jewish voices as possible are heard on as many subjects as possible, and that people (yes, even Jews) who attempt silence these voices should be called out and counteracted. To borrow a slogan from the religiously-liberal Jewish movements in Israel, "yesh yoter miderech echad l'hiyot y'hudi" - "there is more than one way to be Jewish." Jews have more than one organization, more than one voice, and certainly more than one opinion. The sooner we project our diversity to the world, the sooner knowledge can start eliminating prejudice - and making the world aware of the whole range of Jewish voices is not only within the area for which Ms. Rosenthal is responsible, it is also a goal that she, you, and all major Jewish figures, even all Jews, should pursue.
So, in the future, Mr. Solow, please be more careful to make sure your comments are constructive in advancing the rights and privileges of the Jewish people, and not contributing to the silencing of Jewish voices.
Sincerely,
J. Stanton
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