I've been debating with myself over whether I (and Herb Keinon at the Jerusalem Post) am/are overreacting to this news. I don't think so.
While Poland and Switzerland are sending their presidents, Romania and Holland their prime ministers, and Germany and Spain their foreign ministers, the US will be represented by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg at next week's dedication of Yad Vashem's new museum.
Over the last few months a number of names had been bandied about as possible leaders of the US delegation, including Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Earlier this week diplomatic sources in Jerusalem said they expected at least a cabinet-level representative.
But they were wrong. In the end Washington decided to send Bloomberg.
The kicker was this explanation for the decision.
US embassy spokesman Paul Patin, when asked why the US decided to send Bloomberg and not a higher-ranking official, said, "The feeling of friendship and warmth between Israel and the US exists in every city, but in some respect New York is the most visible expression. New Yorkers love Israel, and Israelis love New York. New York is one of the great cites of the world, and Mayor Bloomberg is proud to represent the US at this most solemn occasion."
Translation: New York is the biggest Jewish city in the world? Not that I'm accusing Mr. Patin of subscribing to the sentiments expressed in that screed, but it's the first thing that came to my mind, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
Why should the opening of a new Holocaust museum at Yad Vashem be such a big deal? Well, that's another discussion. But in light of the responses by the rest of the civilized world, Washington's is highly inappropriate.
