JDCA Statement on the Appointment of Ambassador John Bolton

Last night President Trump announced the appointment of former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton to replace Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster as his national security adviser. Ron Klein, chair of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA), released the following statement:

“The appointment of Ambassador John Bolton as the national security adviser is a direct threat to an effective American foreign policy. Ambassador Bolton’s recent saber-rattling for ‘regime change’ and military strikes against Iran and North Korea will contribute to the already unstable White House that President Trump has assembled. His extreme approach to dismantling the Iran nuclear deal and belief that ‘the two-state solution is dead’ will not make the U.S. or Israel any safer. Bolton was a leading proponent of the Iraq War, both before the war and even to this date provides unsubstantiated justification. He now believes that ‘only military action’ will be appropriate in Iran. His eagerness to wage war is a danger to all Americans and should disqualify him from this position.

While some in the pro-Israel community remember Ambassador Bolton for standing up for the Jewish state at the hostile United Nations, criticisms which we support, the foreign policy he is prescribing is bad for America and bad for our allies, including Israel. JDCA is deeply wary of this appointment and we will be vocal opponents of the Ambassador’s irresponsible policy approach.”