By Kenneth Bandler
NEW YORK — The American Jewish Committee (AJC) is calling on the U.S. Government to end the practice in the armed forces of denying security clearances for Jews who have family in Israel. The disturbing practice was brought to light again in a Wall Street Journal column this week. The practice is not new. It has existed for several Administrations.
The most recent case to come to light involved Dr. Gershon Pincus, a retired dentist who had initially received a recommendation approving the necessary clearance to work at a Naval clinic in Saratoga Springs, New York. He had discussed during interviews that close relatives lived in Israel. The person who initially considered Pincus’ application recommended that he be granted a security clearance. However, following a subsequent security interview earlier this year, his clearance was denied at a higher level in September specifically because he has family in Israel.
“Of course, the U.S. must evaluate every candidate, but what is truly stunning is that our armed forces make judgments on the loyalty of certain American citizens based solely on their Jewish identity and any family ties to Israel,” said AJC General Counsel Marc Stern. “To be sure, this questionable practice resurrecting the shopworn canard of dual loyalty has been taking place for years, over several Administrations. For the good of the country, it is high time that it be brought to an end.”
In another development, AJC said it was encouraged by the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of a resolution expressing serious concern about persistent human rights violations in Iran. It was adopted by a vote of 81 to 37 against, with 67 abstentions.
“We are encouraged that so many UN member states have recognized the worsening human rights situation in Iran, and call on Iran to comply with the will of the international community to end its pervasive violations,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris.
With this resolution, UNGA reaffirmed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s conclusion that there has been no improvement in the protection of human rights in Iran, despite pledges by President Rouhani to improve his nation’s human rights practices.
The resolution also echoes concerns raised by Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, who was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. Shaheed and the Secretary-General have documented severe, ongoing human rights violations in Iran. Iran’s persistent abuses include discrimination against women and minority groups; arrests and detention of human rights defenders, activists, and journalists; and a record number of executions following unfair trials.
AJC called on Permanent Representatives to the UN to stand with the people of Iran and support the resolution when it came first before UNGA’s Third Committee on human rights, and in advance of today’s vote.
The UNGA vote indicates a renewed focus on the human rights situation in Iran, and the international community’s insistence that Iran implement greater human rights protection measures.
AJC, through its Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, has long pressed for greater protection of human rights in Iran and the release of Iranian political prisoners.
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Bandler is director of media relations for the American Jewish Committee (AJC).