All four major left-wing pro-Israel groups — all strong backers of President Obama’s Middle East policies — have taken a "no coment" position on the Mary Robinson controversy. But some Jewish defenders of Robinson are beginning to emerge on the eve of the presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the former Irish president and U.N. High Commisioner for Human Rights. Among them are the former U.S. representative to the UN Human Rights Commission during the Clinton administration, the former head of the World Bank and the head of a Jewish organization writing in a personal capacity.
Without identifying her organization, Ruth Messenger, president of the American Jewish World Service, wrote an unpublished letter to the New York Times in which she called Robinson "a true agent of global change" and "richly deserving" of the honor:
In Ireland, she secured improved gender equity in the social welfare and jury systems and got anti-gay legislation repealed. She was the first head of state to visit Rwanda after the genocide, and the only head of state to visit Somalia in the aftermath of the forced famine there.
As U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary served as a witness to abuses around the world and spoke out regularly against human rights violations without prejudice and bias, including in the Middle East. On several occasions in the last decade, she has denounced anti-Semitism as a virulent form of racism and called for anti-Semitic violence to be treated as a criminal act. Recently I traveled with Mary to Ethiopia to meet with Sudanese women on their peace agenda and it was Mary who defended me against a round of anti-Semitic attacks by the women in the room.
Also defending Robinson is Nancy Rubin, who served as the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Commission during the Clinton administration:
Critics of Mrs. Robinson fail to mention that she has denounced anti-Semitism as a virulent form of racism; that she declined to accept the NGO forum’s mendacious final document at Durban; or her passionate rejection of anti-Semitic cartoons during the lamentable conference. They also make no mention of how she battles anti-Semitism in Europe and calls for anti-Semitic violence to be treated as a criminal act.
As a Jewish American who affirms that defending the human rights of all is a basic tenant of my faith, I wholeheartedly endorse your recognition of Mary Robinson for the narrative of her life. She has worked tirelessly to shape a better world that is secure and just for everyone.
We in the Jewish community know it is critical to recognize and support human rights leaders who will speak out for vulnerable populations— not only because it is right but because our community has counted on them to speak out in the past and may need to do so yet again. Mary Robinson will continue to be an ally in this struggle.
And former World Bank chief James Wolfensohn:
During my decade as President of the World Bank, I had many occasions to consult with her and to work with her. She combined experience as a lawyer, a statesman and human rights activist, and was always available to support efforts on human rights including the combating of anti-Semitism while I was at the Bank and when I was the Quartet Negotiator in the Middle East.
You can read Wolfensohn’s full letter here, and the full missives from Messinger and Rubin after the jump:[[READMORE]]
Rubin:
Dear President Obama:
I am writing to you today to express my strong support for your decision to honor Mary Robinson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Having served as the United States Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Commission while Mary Robinson was chair, I was able to witness first hand Mrs. Robinson’s work as a dedicated crusader for human rights for all people. She highlighted the rights of women and children and promoted monitoring and reporting throughout the world.
She embodies the principle that human rights are universal. That standard includes shining a light on violations wherever they may occur, including in the Palestinian territories, in Israel and throughout the Middle East.
As an American citizen, I salute your recognition of the importance of the noble cause pursued by those rare individuals who with courage and conviction will speak truth no matter the challenge and speak out for justice in every venue. Mary Robinson is one of those people who have doggedly married conscience and intellectual activism across the globe. This frequently has made her unpopular.
Critics of Mrs. Robinson fail to mention that she has denounced anti-Semitism as a virulent form of racism; that she declined to accept the NGO forum’s mendacious final document at Durban; or her passionate rejection of anti-Semitic cartoons during the lamentable conference. They also make no mention of how she battles anti-Semitism in Europe and calls for anti-Semitic violence to be treated as a criminal act.
As a Jewish American who affirms that defending the human rights of all is a basic tenant of my faith, I wholeheartedly endorse your recognition of Mary Robinson for the narrative of her life. She has worked tirelessly to shape a better world that is secure and just for everyone.
We in the Jewish community know it is critical to recognize and support human rights leaders who will speak out for vulnerable populations— not only because it is right but because our community has counted on them to speak out in the past and may need to do so yet again. Mary Robinson will continue to be an ally in this struggle.
Sincerely,
Nancy Rubin
Former Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Commission
And Messinger:
In selecting Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, for a Presidential Medal of Freedom, Barack Obama has recognized a true agent of global change.
A lawyer, stateswoman and human rights activist, Mary Robinson has stood for the inherent dignity of all people and been a critic of all forms of discrimination and inequality.
In Ireland, she secured improved gender equity in the social welfare and jury systems and got anti-gay legislation repealed. She was the first head of state to visit Rwanda after the genocide, and the only head of state to visit Somalia in the aftermath of the forced famine there.
As UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary served as a witness to abuses around the world and spoke out regularly against human rights violations without prejudice and bias, including in the Middle East. On several occasions in the last decade, she has denounced anti-Semitism as a virulent form of racism and called for anti-Semitic violence to be treated as a criminal act. Recently I traveled with Mary to Ethiopia to meet with Sudanese women on their peace agenda and it was Mary who defended me against a round of anti-Semitic attacks by the women in the room.
Mary Robinson is richly deserving of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Ruth W. Messinger
New York, NY
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
