Hannah Rosenthal’s appointment

I have a story up about Hannah Rosenthal’s appointment as the State Department’s new Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Anti-Semitism, and I’ve received a number of calls and/or e-mails today asking me where I got the State Department statement on Rosenthal that is quoted in the story. For those still curious — a source told me that the State Department would be putting out a statement making Rosenthal’s selection official (and an inquiry to the White House also directed me to State), and I called the State Department press office late Friday afternoon, and was quickly sent this statement:

We are delighted with President Obama’s decision to appoint Hannah Rosenthal as the State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. Hannah is a long-time leader in the Jewish community, and a passionate advocate for human rights.  In recent years, we have witnessed a growing trend of Anti-Semitic hate crimes and discrimination around the world.  As Special Envoy, Hannah will lead our efforts to focus our diplomatic energies on challenging these deplorable acts.  As special envoy, she also will work with governments and civil society organizations across the globe to promote tolerance.

What is strange is that the statement hasn’t been put on the State Department Web site as of Monday afternoon, and despite the reference in the statement to President Obama making the appointment, the White House never announced it, either. But Rosenthal’s appointment, rumored for more than a week, is official — even though the administration isn’t going out of its way to make sure anyone knows about it., for reasons I can’t explain. After the jump, releases from the Anti-Defamation League and Rosenthal’s former employer, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, on her appointment:[[READMORE]]

First, the ADL:

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s appointment of Hannah Rosenthal to serve as the State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism. 

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:
 
This appointment signals the continued seriousness of America’s resolve to fight the anti-Semitism that we have seen gaining legitimacy in too many countries and to institutionalize that fight as an American foreign policy priority.
 
We look forward to working with Hannah Rosenthal to mobilize the significant political will and resources of the United States to broaden understanding abroad about the new forms of anti-Semitism permeating public discourse.  Working with Secretary Clinton, and Assistant Secretary Michael Posner, we have no doubt that the Special Envoy will play an important role in encouraging countries to make the hard choices and to implement policy, legislative, judicial and educational measures to counter anti-Semitism.
 
The Office to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism and the position of Special Envoy were established by the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act of 2004, sponsored by the late Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA), Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) to enhance State Department monitoring of and action against anti-Semitism. 

And JCPA:

Rabbi Steve Gutow, president and CEO of The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) today hailed the appointment by President Barack Obama of former JCPA Executive Director Hannah Rosenthal as the State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism.
 
“We applaud and welcome President Obama’s appointment of Hannah Rosenthal as U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat anti-Semitism. It gives us great pride to know that one of our own is being entrusted by the United States with this responsibility. During her tenure at JCPA, Hannah was a tireless advocate for Israel and social issues important to the Jewish community and we know she will bring the same enthusiasm and dedication to her new role in the Obama administration. We look forward to working with Hannah in her new capacity in efforts to promote tolerance and understanding to eradicate anti-Semitism across the globe.”