Trump Criticized for Not Appointing Jewish Liaison

There are no plans to fill this post in the near future.

President Donald J. Trump has been urged by Congress members to continue the tradition of appointing a specific White House liaison who will interact with the American Jewish community. Representatives Doug Lamborn, a Republican from Colorado, Jacky Rosen, a Democrat from Nevada, Stephanie Murphy, a Democrat from Florida, and Lee Zeldin, a Republican from New York signed the bipartisan letter. The president has blamed the congressional leadership of the Democratic Party for the slow pace of filling the vacancies available in the administration posts. He even termed them “obstructionists.” It is to be noted that Senate confirmation is not needed for this position.

Trump Criticized for Not Appointing Jewish Liaison[/tweetthis]

The Representatives said although the Trump administration has started only a few months ago, anti-Semitism has already risen in the United States. Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions or the BDS movement has also risen, and religious minority persecution all over the world has resulted in the urgent need for such a post. There is an absolute requirement for an agreed upon point of contact. It will help the White House reach American Jewish communities.According to an Israeli newspaper, the White House at present does not have any plans to full such a post. This marks a break from a 40-year old tradition. United States Presidents of both sides of the political divide have appointed their respective liaisons to the Jewish community. It is important to note in this context that this role is not the only the Trump administration has to fill. It is reported by the media that the office responsible for monitoring anti-Semitism and combating it in the State Department continues to remain vacant.

The President is not unfamiliar with the concept of a Jewish liaison. Two Trump confidants, Jason Greenblatt and David Friedman, served as the would-be president's unofficial representatives to the U.S. Jewish community. They also advised the Republican presidential hopeful in Jewish-related matters and also on Israel. Greenblatt is presently serving as the U.S. special envoy to Middle East and as Special Representative for International Negotiations. Friedman has been appointed as U.S. Ambassador in charge of Israel.

According to Tevi Troy, the White House liaison to the Jewish community during President George W. Bush's tenure, the post comes with its own challenges, “trying to accommodate all of the different interests and voices in a diverse Jewish American community that is not shy about sharing its views.”

Resources

• Jewish Journal
• The Jerusalem Post

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