On Tuesday, Sarah Margon, a political adviser, withdrew from consideration to be an assistant secretary of state in human rights, democracy and labor because she was accused of holding anti-Israeli views.
Republican Senator James Risch of Idaho criticised Margon’s past tweets in which he claimed to have supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. This movement calls for economic pressure against Israel.
In Nov. 2018, she tweeted, “Airbnb will remove listings in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.” “Thanks to @Airbnb, for being a good leader here. Others should follow their lead.”
Margon tried to calm the dispute by telling Risch she didn’t support the BDS movement but supported a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian war.
According to the Washington Post, Margon once retweeted a piece that rejected a two-state solution.
Margon was unable to influence Risch despite her efforts.
“With all due respect ma’am,” Risch said to her during a January 2022 hearing that she didn’t believe it.
Margon, a Jewish figure, was a divisive figure in prominent Jewish Republicans and Jewish Organizations.
Elliot Abrams is a Jewish expert on foreign policy who worked for the Trump administration. He defended Margon, and he highlighted his positive interactions with her in the past.
“I was surprised by the claims Sarah Margon was anti-Israel activist. This was not my experience.” Abrams stated, “We disagreed about many issues but she was always sensible, open to argument.
Margon was also supported by liberal Jewish organizations like J Street and Jewish Democratic Council of America.
However, the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) criticized her nomination.
“She is an antisemitic activist whose work makes a mockery about the concept of ‘human right’.” RJC National Chairman Norm Cole stated in a statement.
Margon withdrew 21-months after President Joe Biden announced that she had not been able to secure the votes required.
Margon stated that “At the moment, I don’t see a pathway forward for confirmation” and added, according to Politico: “I will continue working on democracy and human right and am grateful to Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken and President Biden for their confidence and the honor to nominate me.”
