November 9, 2024
Dear Mr. Gintautas Paluckas,
American Jewish Committee (AJC) and I personally have been strong supporters of a democratic and independent Lithuania since the formation of the Sajudas independence party and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. We were among the first and strongest advocates in Washington for a NATO enlargement that would welcome Lithuania into the defense alliance at the very time when many others cautioned against crossing Russia’s “red lines.” For all these years since we have been stalwart promoters of a strong and close bilateral relationship between the United States and Lithuania.
During this time, I worked closely with all governments in Vilnius on common efforts to address the legacy of the Holocaust and counter antisemitism. This included frequent and candid discussions with Prime Ministers, including the late Gediminas Kirkilas, whom I considered a good friend. I am proud to have been decorated by President Adamkas two decades ago and by President Nausėda this past summer for my work in advancing Lithuanian-Jewish and Lithuanian-American relations.
There were certainly points of disagreement during these many years. But I never had reason to doubt the basic integrity of these Lithuanian leaders or their commitment to fighting antisemitism and not countenancing Holocaust denial. I had no qualms about sharing these positive views of Lithuania with American Administrations and Members of Congress and defending them, when they and others may have had some doubts.
Considering this long and positive relationship, you can imagine our shock at the news that you now plan to form a government with the Dawn of the River Neman Party and its openly antisemitic leader, Remigijus Zemaitaitas. If these plans go forward, his views will become your views, his hateful antisemitic and anti-Israel statements will become yours, as well. In short, you will preside over a government unlike any that has preceded it. It would be a government that we and many of our friends in the United States and around the world cannot support or defend. It will surely do irreparable harm to Lithuania’s international reputation at one of the most consequential times in current world affairs.
If I understand correctly this is not yet final. So, I urge you, while there is still time remaining, please abandon this decision and choose another path.
Yours sincerely,
Rabbi Andrew Baker
AJC Director of International Jewish Affairs
Personal Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism
cc: President Gitanas Nauseda
Ambassador Kara McDonald
Ms. Faina Kukliansky
