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Top 3 ADL Actions Around the Globe | |
International and Israel Issues Featured at Never is Now
As part of ADL’s signature Never Is Now virtual summit, International Affairs hosted a panel conversation titled “Antisemitism Across Boarders: The Spread of Hate and its Impact on Global Jewish Communities”
which examined the interconnectedness of antisemitic groups and rhetoric around the globe, and its impact on the security of local Jewish communities. Panelists including Sofia Cohen (Bulgaria), Marilyn Mayo (ADL), Dave Rich (UK) and Kim Robin Stoller (Germany), with ADL’s Sharon Nazarian moderating.
Never is Now also featured a panel on “Antisemitism in Progressive Spaces: How it Looks and How to Address it” which examined the particular forms of antisemitism on the left, including those related to anti-Zionism and extreme anti-Israel rhetoric. Panelists included Rabbi Sharon Brous, ADL’s Seth Brysk and Tema Smith, with ADL’s Robert Trestan moderating.
World leaders, including Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan offered greetings during the closing session of Never is Now. World chess champion Garry Kasparov was presented with ADL’s International Leadership Award
and spoke about how his upbringing in the Soviet Union led him to become an advocate for human rights and against antisemitism and all forms of bigotry. | |
Panel Examines Prisoners of Conscience in Turkey
ADL’s Task Force on Middle East Minorities co-hosted a panel conversation with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies titled “From Pastor Andrew Brunson to Osman Kavala: Rethinking Prisoners of Conscience in Turkey and Beyond.”
The panel explored the common patterns in the cases of Brunson and Kavala and provided policy recommendations on how to ensure prisoners of conscience — particularly those persecuted for their support of religious minorities — in Turkey and elsewhere receive the international attention and assistance they deserve. Panelists included Pastor Brunson, ADL Task Force on Middle East Minorities Members Aykan Erdemir and Farahnaz Ispahani, and Elizabeth Prodromou (Fletcher School). ADL SVP for International Affairs Sharon Nazarian moderated the panel, which took place on the virtual sidelines of the
Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom or Belief.
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ADL Addresses Knesset Tree of Life Attack Commemoration
CEO Jonathan Greenblatt and Carole Nuriel, ADL Israel Director, spoke at a Knesset event commemorating the deadly attack on the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. The event was organized by the Absorption, Immigration and Diaspora Affairs Committee.
Upcoming Event: ADL invites you to our annual In Concert Against Hate, a virtual evening of music, inspiration and community as we celebrate everyday heroes who’ve performed extraordinary acts of courage and compassion when confronted with injustice, bias, antisemitism and hate. Registration and additional information here. | |
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Israel & Broader Middle East
Following reports that Israeli PM Netanyahu flew to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy National Director Ken Jacobson wrote about how this historic event was a long time in the making. | |
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ADL recalled the legacy of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin on the 25th anniversary of his assassination.
Reflecting on the 45th anniversary of the infamous Zionism = Racism UN resolution, ADL Deputy National Director Ken Jacobson explained
that Israel still pays a heavy price for the resolution, despite its repeal in 1991, writing: “And so, in today’s world, particularly in some progressive circles in the United States and elsewhere, the accusations that Israel is fundamentally racist — and that the Zionist idea is illegitimate — live on. And when only Israel is delegitimized — whether by boycotts or propaganda — that is a legacy of Zionism is racism.”
ADL welcomed the suspension of an Israeli sports broadcaster who made xenophobic remarks about a Panamanian soccer player on an Israeli team.
Carole Nuriel, ADL Israel Director, held a webinar for emissaries of the Jewish Agency in Europe and Latin America focused on the difference between antisemitism and anti-Israel expressions.
In an op-ed examining the antisemitism of the Houthis in Yemen, David Weinberg, Washington Director for International Affairs, wrote: “the Houthis’ own foundational documents suggest that this commitment to hating the Jewish people is genuine. Chillingly, they even make an argument for genocide against the Jews in their official doctrine.”
ADL condemned the Iranian regime’s raids on the Baha’i community across the country.
SVP for International Affairs Sharon Nazarian and Washington Director for International Affairs David Weinberg met with Dr. Sultan al-Remeithi, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi-based Muslim Council of Elders, to discuss cooperation against hate. | |
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ADL mourned the four individuals killed by an Islamist extremist terrorist in Vienna, and expressed the need to remain vigilant in pushing back against hateful ideologies.
A decision by UK Labour leader Keir Starmer to keep Jeremy Corbyn out of parliament was welcomed. ADL had previously criticized an earlier decision by Labour to readmit Corbyn into the party, despite a report that found Corbyn consistently refused to address systemic antisemitism within Labour.
The passing of former UK Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks was mourned by ADL.
Deputy National Director Ken Jacobson examined how the lessons of the anniversary of Kristallnacht apply today in the face of numerous recent violent attacks against Jews and other religious groups.
ADL Los Angeles met with Austrian Consul General Andreas Launer to discuss the recent terror attack in Vienna and other issues of mutual concern.
Latin America
In light of his visit to Latin American, ADL urged regional leaders to condemn Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif for Iran’s support for nefarious activities in the region.
Monica Bauer, Director of Hispanic Affairs, presented at webinars on Responding to Hate with Mexican consulates in Philadelphia and North Carolina.
Global and Communal | |
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ADL condemned antisemitic attacks and trends globally, including: antisemitic graffiti in Argentina; bricks thrown at the windows of a synagogue in Germany; and an antisemitic newspaper front page in Greece.
In a blog on the recent spate of Holocaust analogies by international and US-based journalists, celebrities and politicians, Shaya Lerner, Associate Director of Middle Eastern Affairs, wrote about the dangers of comparing contemporary events to the worst recorded genocide in modern history.
ADL criticized comments by former Malaysian PM Mahathir who called on Muslims to “kill millions of French people.”
ADL congratulated Antony Blinken on his selection to be nominated to serve as President-elect Joe Biden’s Secretary of State.
ADL Florida met with the Canadian Consul General to discuss areas of collaboration across Southern Florida. | |
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