Who would have guessed?
ADL Comes Out Against Ground Zero Mosque
Once a venerable if checkered organization at the forefront of fighting bigotry in general and anti-Semitism in particular in the US and Europe, the Anti-Defamation League under Abe Foxman has stooped to a new low and essentially acknowledged its support of Islamophobia, prejudice against Muslims.
The Anti-Defamation League came out against Ground Zero Mosque. So much for religious tolerance.
Says Wikipedia about the ADL,
As its goal is to defend not only Jews, but also “all citizens alike and to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens,” the ADL has periodically made statements against misrepresentations of other faiths.
From the Huffington Post coverage,
The Anti-Defamation League has joined the likes of Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, Rick Lazio, and a slew of other Conservative protesters in standing against the building of a mosque in the vicinity of the World Trade Center site.
In a statement issued by the Jewish organization, the group claims that while “proponents of the Islamic Center may have every right to build at this site, and may even have chosen the site to send a positive message about Islam,” it is ultimately “not a question of rights, but a question of what is right.”
Moreover, despite “the bigotry some have expressed in attacking” those behind the building of the mosque (which the ADL deems “unfair” and “wrong”), it is their judgment that “building an Islamic Center in the shadow of the World Trade Center will cause some victims more pain – unnecessarily – and that is not right.”
While the ADL rarely shies away from controversy, news of their opposition left many journalists and pundits stunned.
Other views from the story,
As Tablet’s Marc Tracy puts it: “Founded in 1913, the ADL, in its words, “fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all.” Except when it does the precise opposite.” And, “We regard freedom of religion as a cornerstone of the American democracy, and that freedom must include the right of all Americans – Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths – to build community centers and houses of worship.” And, “We categorically reject appeals to bigotry on the basis of religion, and condemn those whose opposition to this proposed Islamic Center is a manifestation of such bigotry.”
(But, but, but…..)
….there are understandably strong passions and keen sensitivities surrounding the World Trade Center site. We are ever mindful of the tragedy which befell our nation there, the pain we all still feel – and especially the anguish of the families and friends of those who were killed on September 11, 2001..blah, blah, blah….
The controversy which has emerged regarding the building of an Islamic Center at this location is counterproductive to the healing process. Therefore, under these unique circumstances, we believe the City of New York would be better served if an alternative location could be found.
Here’ a comment from Dan Stewart who got to the gist of it when he said,
“It is not news that the Abe Foxman’s ADL opposes building a mosque anywhere.
It would be simpler to just report that, “Abe Foxman’s ADL opposes anything that is not in complete sympathy with fanatical Zionism.”
Then report when there’s an exception. Now that would be news.”
It is safe to say, that the ADL should now be unequivocally grouped with American and European organizations like AIPAC, ZOA, AJC, the Israel Lobby in general, as a supporter of right wing Likud politics in Israel, the Greater Israel dream, anti-Islamism, anti-Palestinianism, and the voices that scream for an attack on Iran, hopefully by the US?
(copied from a comment on Booman’s feature on the topic: The Entitlement of Bigotry)