Bolton Deserves the Support of Jewish Groups

In an effort to bolster the chances that John Bolton, the President's nominee to be US Ambassador to the UN, the White House is asking a variety of Jewish organizations to add their voices of support. An article appearing today in JTA (the Jewish Telegraphic Agency) reports that, surprisingly, Bolton has received little support from major Jewish groups, including AIPAC. The surprise stems from Bolton's crucial role in 1991 in repealing the odious UN resolution of 1975 that equated Zionism with racism.

The administration also hopes Jewish community support will counterbalance lingering questions about Bolton’s past statements and work style, and help him win the necessary votes for Senate confirmation. No date has been set for a vote.

“We are surprised at the half-hearted efforts by Jewish organizations who know that John Bolton is exactly the right guy to bring reform to the United Nations, which is an institution desperately in need of reform,” a White House official said.

The lack of effort on Bolton’s behalf highlights the dilemmas Jewish groups face in taking policy positions.

While Bolton may appeal to some groups, speaking out for him would pit some Jewish groups against liberal colleagues who are concerned about some of Bolton’s actions, and even against some of their own members, who have been reluctant to support a White House appointee because of Bush’s stances on domestic policy issues.

This fear of upsetting, or even simply disagreeing with, other Jewish groups perhaps made sense at one time in American history. Because Jews were once viewed almost universally as outsiders, there developed a tendency to stick together, lest a less than united front make the entire population more vulnerable to anti-Semitism in the workplace, on campus, and in various elements of society.

Yet today, the domestic anti-Semitic habit is most often found among campus leftists and some mainline denominations. Abroad, however, it is rampant from France to the Middle East and beyond. Indeed, anti-Semitism is widely acknowledged to be more widespread and violent today than at any time since WWII. And no international body provides a more prominent platform for anti-Semites than the UN.

It's for that reason that, one would hope, Jewish groups would recognize that backing Bolton's nomination, even at the expense of disagreeing with some Jewish groups who'd rather not take a position on Bolton. For in Bolton, they'll find a proven ally who will stand up to the thugs at the UN, whatever their shortcomings, and defend American interests along with those of Israel.

Fortunately, the White House is fighting back:

Jeffrey Berkowitz, White House liaison to the Jewish community, sent an e-mail Wednesday to Jewish leaders highlighting Bolton’s support for Israel, his work on non-proliferation issues and his commitment to U.N. reform. A similar e-mail was sent Thursday by the Republican Jewish Coalition.

White House officials say backing Bolton aggressively is in keeping with the Jewish community’s emphasis on U.N. reform. Indeed, Jewish groups have been actively watching the U.N. Reform Bill of 2005, which was being debated Thursday on the floor of the House of Representatives.

The bill would press the United Nations to make Israel a full member of the Western European and Others Group, where it is now a temporary member, and would withhold some U.S. contributions to the United Nations until that happens.

Jeff Berkowitz has been a close friend for years, and I know him to be a determined, inexhaustible force for reform. Hopefully, with his efforts in representing the administration, Jewish groups will add their voices to those who demand that John Bolton be allowed to represent the US in the UN. Democrats oppose Bolton precisely because he'll demand changes in that corrupt organization. They should also have to answer to Jewish groups who recognize in Bolton a steadfast friend and ally.