The organized Jewish community has been expressing concern over the nomination of retired U.S. Army Col. Douglas Macgregor as U.S. ambassador to Germany to succeed Richard Grenell.
In a 2012 interview with The Daily Bell, Macgregor blamed neoconservatives, or “neocons,” for “making decisions in Washington that in their minds are beneficial to a foreign power and are not necessarily good for the American people or the United States.”
Macgregor also blamed “neocon” advisers for Trump eliminating Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani earlier this year.
In a statement on Tuesday, B’nai B’rith International said it is “troubled” by Macgregor’s remarks, but it did not express opposition to his nomination. Rather, it expressed “hope that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will raise these concerns during Macgregor’s confirmation process.”
“It is important that American diplomats not question the patriotism of other Americans who hold political views different from their own, especially given that questioning Jewish loyalty to America is an anti-Semitic trope,” said the organization.
“Moreover, it is vital that the American ambassador to Germany, whose work includes diplomatic negotiations on sanctions against the Iranian regime, Hezbollah’s presence in Europe and other aspects of Iran’s global reach, understand the severity of Iran’s belligerence and support for terrorism,” they continued. “Combating anti-Semitism is an important priority for the U.S.-German bilateral relationship, which adds to our concern over his record of insensitivity in speaking about Jews.”
B’nai B’rith International called Macgregor’s stance on Iran as “concerning.”
In a statement on Tuesday, StandWithUs’s Center for Combating Antisemitism said it “is deeply concerned” about the nomination, though didn’t express outright opposition to it.
