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The US's fight against global antisemitism is at risk under the Trump administration - opinion

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Opinion Sources not specified Context piece
  • A former US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism expresses concern over the potential merger of his former office with the Holocaust Issues envoy role.
  • The author argues that the antisemitism envoy's mission requires broad diplomatic strategies to combat evolving hatred, distinct from Holocaust remembrance.
  • The opinion piece criticizes the current administration's narrow definition of antisemitism, often focusing on criticism of Israel, and calls for strengthening the envoy's independent mission.

The United States' efforts to combat global antisemitism risk being diluted under the current administration, according to a former Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism. Hannah Rosenthal, who served in the Obama administration, voiced strong concerns about a proposed merger of the antisemitism envoy's office with that of the Special Envoy on Holocaust Issues (SEHI).

From Kazakhstan to Poland, I saw firsthand the unique value of a dedicated envoy focused on antisemitism, empowered by the State Department.

— Hannah RosenthalThe author highlights the importance of a dedicated envoy's work in combating antisemitism across different regions.

Rosenthal emphasized the distinct and crucial diplomatic work of the antisemitism envoy. "From Kazakhstan to Poland, I saw firsthand the unique value of a dedicated envoy focused on antisemitism, empowered by the State Department," she wrote. This role, she explained, involves building broad coalitions, engaging diverse groups, and fostering dialogue to identify and counter hatred of Jews wherever it appears.

The former envoy criticized the current administration's approach, stating it has "repeatedly invoked antisemitism and has defined it... in quite limited ways, too often focusing on those who criticize policies of Israel." Rosenthal argued that antisemitism is far more expansive, encompassing white nationalism, Christian nationalism, praise of Hitler, and conspiracy theories, requiring a comprehensive and sustained diplomatic effort.

This Administration has repeatedly invoked antisemitism and has defined it, inspired by the Heritage Foundation’s Project Esther, in quite limited ways, too often focusing on those who criticize policies of Israel.

— Hannah RosenthalThe author criticizes the current administration's narrow definition of antisemitism.

She warned that merging or eliminating the SEHI office would fundamentally misunderstand the responsibilities of each role. The fight against antisemitism, she stressed, requires "meaningful conversations" and sustained engagement with various global actors, from media to young leaders to elected officials, to ensure Jewish safety and security.

Antisemitism, however, is much more expansive and frightening than that. It includes white nationalism, Christian nationalism, praise of Hitler and Nazis, blood libel accusations, textbook depictions and cartoons of Jews as less than human, religious screeds blaming Jews for deicide and economic downturns, conspiracy theories about supposed Jewish power, desecrations of synagogues, and physical attacks on Jewish people.

— Hannah RosenthalThe author provides a broad definition of antisemitism to contrast with the administration's limited view.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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