NEW YORK – In response to President Obama’s announcement today naming U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice as his new National Security Advisor, the Rabbinical Assembly released the statements below:
Julie Schonfeld said,
On behalf of the rabbis of the Rabbinical Assembly, I am extremely pleased with President Obama’s decision to appoint Susan Rice as his National Security Advisor. As an experienced diplomat, and a champion of human rights, Ambassador Rice is a smart choice for security advisor. At the United Nations, she has successfully led efforts to advance U.S. interests, including saving countless Libyans, supporting the historic independence of South Sudan after years of genocide and horror, and delivering the tightest sanctions on Iran and North Korea.
Moreover, Ambassador Rice has always been a great friend to the Conservative movement, the Jewish community, and Israel. She has engaged extensively with Jewish community leadership and has globally advocated for democracy, truth and fairness, values that we as Jews cherish. As the Ambassador to the United Nations, Rice has been a steadfast and unwavering supporter of Israel's security and legitimacy by forcefully and courageously opposing unbalanced and biased actions against Israel in the Security Council, the General Assembly and across the UN system. Because of Ambassador Rice, America’s defense of Israel is stronger than ever.
On a personal level, I have enjoyed the privilege of knowing Ambassador Rice for over a decade and know that her courage emanating from deeply held values is what has earned her the respect, trust and admiration of the Jewish community around the world.
Gerald Skolnick added,
On behalf of the Rabbinical Assembly, I would like to extend my congratulations to Ambassador Rice on her White House appointment. As Ambassador Rice moves to the National Security Office at the White House, we look forward to working with Samantha Power in her new role as UN Ambassador on our mutual interests of defending universal human rights and Israeli security.