Israel Matzav

The Democrats are silent on Mary Robinson

At Pajamas Media, Ron Radosh wonders when supporters of Israel among Democrats will speak up against Mary Robinson's receipt of the Medal of Freedom. He notes that Marty Peretz - once an enthusiastic Obama supporter - has now spoken out against the award, and the Democrat Eliot Engel of New York has as well. But there has been nothing but silence from most of the rest.

Up to now, Rep. Engel seems, among Democrats, to stand alone. Where is his colleague from New York, Anthony Weiner, whose press rep would not return my call. Where is New York’s Senator Charles Schumer? Both have been good on these issues. Recently, Weiner released a tough statement on the need of the Palestinians to end their anti-Israel and anti-Semitic propaganda in their school textbooks. So why aren’t these pro-Israel New York members of Congress making a public statement about Mary Robinson?

When will they and others have the courage to step forward and speak out? We are waiting for the answer.

addendum: August 5, 2009 — Washington, D.C.) Congresswoman Shelley Berkley today expressed her concern regarding past comments and biased actions directed at the State of Israel by Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Mary Robinson. Berkley said: “The biased views expressed by Mary Robinson against the nation of Israel remain deeply troubling and her tarnished record of actions on this issue cannot be erased with the awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This includes her role in the U.N.’s infamous Durban Conference, the scene of highly-charged anti-Jewish attacks against Israel and its supporters. Mary Robinson’s one-sided criticism of Israel and her actions while serving as a U.N. commissioner deserve to be condemned and I add my voice to those already expressing concern about her shameful record when it comes to this issue. I respectfully request that the President of the United States reassess the awarding of this prestigious medal to a woman with such a blatant record of inappropriate and inexplicable bias against America’s most reliable ally — and the region’s only democracy — the State of Israel.”

Anyone who is familiar with Shelley Berkley's record cannot be surprised that she would come out against Mary Robinson. Are the rest of the Democrats in Congress afraid to challenge Obama or do they agree with his choice? What about Obama's kapos, Bob Wexler and Gary Ackerman? Do they agree with Mary Robinson (and Desmond Tutu!) receiving the Medal of Freedom?

Jewish Americans and all supporters of Israel are entitled to an answer.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:19 PM