The precedent is set: justice-aligned organizations must cut ties with those who undermine it Dear Email, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) congratulates and commends the National Education Association (NEA), a 7,000-member policymaking body, for voting to cut all ties with the Anti-Defamation League. This decision reflects a growing refusal to compromise on values of justice, equity, and liberation, especially from one of the nation’s most influential educators’ unions.  The ADL has a long and well-documented history of undermining social justice movements led by Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, as well as immigrants, Muslims, and Arabs. Its partnerships with law enforcement, including Israeli military training for U.S. police officers, and its targeting of progressive movements have positioned the organization as a gatekeeper of state violence and colonial interests. As detailed in a report we published ten years ago, “The Anti-Defamation League: A History of Defending Israel at All Costs,” the ADL has routinely attempted to silence critics of Israel and has smeared activists working for Palestinian rights, while aligning itself with Islamophobic and anti-immigrant agendas. We’ve seen that front and center over the last two years amidst Israel’s genocide in Gaza. But this time, the ADL failed, completely, to suppress U.S. advocacy on Palestine or any other progressive issue. On the contrary, it went down, exposing itself during the early stages of the genocide. Despite branding itself as a civil rights organization, the ADL has consistently aligned with police departments, right-wing figures, and the Israeli government, all institutions of systemic violence, while attempting to disguise its actions as “fighting hate.” Organizations that truly stand for justice and a democracy for all can no longer afford to partner with those who actively work against it. This vote is a necessary and powerful step in breaking ties with institutions that undermine our collective liberation. We applaud the NEA for setting this precedent and urge other unions, civil rights groups, elected officials, and educational institutions to follow suit. In solidarity,
American Muslims for Palestine |
