Argentina & The B’nai B’rith

To the Editor:

The following is a letter I sent on behalf of B’nai B’rith International to the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic, Jorge A. Aja Espil, in reference to an advertisement by the government of Argentina that appeared in COMMENTARY [April] as well as in other publications:

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

Mr. Jack Spitzer, president of B’nai B’rith International, is on an overseas trip and I am, therefore, writing to you on his behalf as well as on behalf of B’nai B’rith International, that we were shocked to find Mr. Spitzer’s name in an advertisement that was placed by the Argentine government in a number of major national publications.

The usual practice requires advance clearance with a person whose name is to appear in a commercial advertisement. The use of Mr. Spitzer’s name is the cause of great embarrassment to both Mr. Spitzer and B’nai B’rith International. The problem is compounded by the fact that his title is distorted. Mr. Spitzer is the president of B’nai B’rith International, which incorporates the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith. He is not the president of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith.

Further, the advertisement suggests that Mr. Spitzer was an official guest of the Argentine government and suggests inferentially that he supports the policies of that government. As you know from conversations held between B’nai B’rith and yourself, as well as other leaders of the Argentine government, we are most concerned about violations of human rights in Argentina. Until the present anguish in Argentina is relieved, we would not want to associate ourselves with a testimonial to your government’s policies.

I am afraid that at this point the damage has been done and I would ask formally that you cease in any further use of Mr. Spitzer’s name, or the name of B’nai B’rith International, or the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith. I would also suggest that it would be appropriate to have an apology sent to Mr. Spitzer for the unauthorized use of his name as well as our organization’s name.

May I strongly request that a correction appear under your sponsorship in all publications where the original advertisement appeared.

Daniel Thursz
Executive Vice President
B’nai B’rith International
Washington, D.C.