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State Dept. Supports Embattled Anti-Semitism Envoy

Rosenthal had stirred pot with comment on Oren and J Street

by
Marc Tracy
January 04, 2010

The U.S. State Department is standing behind its anti-Semitism envoy, Hannah Rosenthal. She told Haaretz last month that Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren’s choice not to speak to J Street, the “pro-Israel, pro-peace” organization she used to advise, was “most unfortunate.” The comment prompted a minor tempest: prominent figures in the American-Jewish community questioned her fitness; Israel sounded a concerned note; and State felt compelled to confirm its total support of Oren.

Today, the department did the same with Rosenthal. “Special Envoy Rosenthal has the complete support of the department,” it asserted. “As a matter of longstanding policy the United States has supported a peaceful solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To that end the U.S. government encourages broad dialogue among responsible partners for peace.” Looks like Uncle Sam is getting its wish.

Marc Tracy is a staff writer at The New Republic, and was previously a staff writer at Tablet. He tweets @marcatracy.