Mari Cohen, associate editor at Jewish Currents, discusses the Anti-Defamation League's commitment to Israel and its impact on combating antisemitism. Topics include rise in hate incidents, controversies surrounding the ADL's fight against hate, complex identity of the ADL, ADL's relationship with Elon Musk and Twitter, and the implications of their data on anti-Semitism.
The Anti-Defamation League's conflicting stance on criticizing Elon Musk's anti-Semitic incidents on Twitter while also praising his leadership raises questions about the organization's priorities.
The ADL's focus on Israel and equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism has strained its relationships with Muslim and Arab organizations, hindering potential alliances in working towards common goals.
Deep dives
The ADL's evolving focus and contradictory messages
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has been known as a leading anti-hate organization, but its focus and messaging have become increasingly contradictory. The ADL's relationship with Elon Musk, who has been connected to anti-Semitic incidents on Twitter, has been complicated. While the organization criticized Musk's role in promoting hate and harassment on the platform, its CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, praised Musk's leadership. This conflicting stance has caused frustration among ADL staff and raised questions about the organization's priorities. Additionally, the ADL's approach to linking anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism has resulted in concerns over its data collection and reporting on incidents of anti-Semitism. The ADL's influence and respect as an organization could potentially lead to a different discussion on topics like the conflict in Gaza if they were to change their approach to Israel.
ADL's historical background and growing focus on Israel
The ADL was founded in 1913 to combat anti-Semitism in the US, but its priorities have shifted over time. Initially, the organization, led by German Jewish elites, focused on addressing anti-Semitism within American society and had reservations about Zionism. However, the ADL's stance changed after World War II and the rise of American anti-Semitism. The organization began actively supporting the creation of a Jewish state, with the Holocaust and Jewish refugee crisis further solidifying its commitment to Israel. This focus on Israel intensified in the 1970s, when leftist American organizations aligned with Palestinian liberation movements, leading the ADL to equate anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism.
The ADL's relationship with Muslim and Arab organizations
The ADL's relationship with Muslim and Arab organizations has been marked by suspicion and unfriendliness. In the 1990s, the ADL was found to have spied on and surveilled anti-Zionist organizations, leading to strained relations. Under the leadership of Abe Foxman in the 2000s, the ADL opposed the construction of a mosque near Ground Zero in New York City, further damaging its rapport with Muslim communities. More recently, the ADL defined the Council on American-Islamic Relations as an extremist group due to their anti-Zionist stance and support for Palestine, compromising potential alliances for the ADL in working towards common goals.
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