In praise of Deborah Lipstadt

The United States Senate is not a body commonly associated with alacrity but its sluggishness in considering the nomination of Deborah Lipstadt has been noticeable. On Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee finally heard from Dr Lipstadt, who has been nominated by President Biden to serve as the United States’ special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism. If confirmed Dr Lipstadt will be the first to hold the title since it was elevated to an ambassadorial position, a reflection of growing concern in Washington DC about rising levels of Jew-hatred within the United States and overseas.

The ‘if’ hanging over Dr Lipstadt — and the slow pace of her confirmation — is down to Republican concerns about the non-partisan role going to an outspoken Democrat who has been critical of a Republican member of the committee. On the charge of outspokenness, there can be no plea in mitigation. Dr Lipstadt grew up in Queens.