AJC Urges Rep. Chenoweth-Hage To Withdraw Invitation to John Birch Society

American Jewish Committee
Tuesday, 1 February 2000

The American Jewish Committee today sharply criticized Representative Helen Chenoweth-Hage for inviting the John Birch Society to address a congressional briefing on the Panama Canal. The briefing is scheduled for February 2.

"We fear that your invitation to the John Birch Society to speak at Wednesday's congressional briefing gives weight and prestige to perspectives that are, and ought to remain, at the fringes of society," Jason F. Isaacson, director of AJC's Washington Office, wrote in a letter to Rep. Chenoweth.

"We respectfully urge you to withdraw your invitation," he added.

The AJC does not challenge the constitutional right of the John Birch members to express their views, Mr. Isaacson noted. However, AJC "challenges the wisdom of offering the Society a congressional platform from which to promulgate those views — views that for decades have fueled and thrived on conspiracy theories, nativism, isolationism and intolerance."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org