ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA

NEWS RELEASE

Zionist Giant/JPost Columnist Isi Leibler Passes at 86 - See Sampling of His Articles

Was Leader Rescuing Soviet Jewry & Promoting Truth of Arab War Against Israel & Against Mainstream

Jewish Fear of Speaking Out

ZOA President Morton Klein released the following statement on behalf of all of ZOA:

Isi Leibler was a dear and special friend of mine and the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA). Isi was the leader of the Australian Jewish community and a world class businessman before he made Aliyah. He was a Zionist giant and a fervent, committed, observant, proud Jew. In his columns in the Jerusalem Post, he spoke out passionately about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel and about the reluctance of mainstream Jewry and its leaders to speak out more courageously about our enemies and political foes. He was concerned about the Jewish community’s embrace of the antisemitic, anti-Israel organization Black Lives Matter, and was one of the few journalists to speak out against the anti-Israel policies of Barack Obama and the reluctance of the Jewish leaders to speak out, and worse, that many praised Obama. Isi was also concerned about the ADL’s harmful actions and policies. I’m proud to say he wrote numerous articles expressing great support for and appreciation of the ZOA and its strong policies, frequently stating we were alone in expressing the truth about issues affecting our people.

I spoke to Isi regularly and only several weeks ago, I had a wonderful conversation with Isi and offered him the ZOA Mort Zuckerman Award for Outstanding Journalism at ZOA’s next Gala in the fall. We were honored that he readily accepted. It is with great pain and regret that that wonderful moment won’t happen. The ZOA and the Jewish world will miss Isi Leibler greatly. May his family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

View this news release on our website here.

The Resurgence of the

Zionist Organization of America

By Isi Leibler

(NOVEMBER 30, 2011 / JERUSALEM POST) I recently had the fascinating experience of attending the 114th national anniversary dinner of the Zionist Organization of America in New York. Close to 800 participants (including 100 student activists) from throughout the US gathered at New York City’s Hyatt Hotel to pay tribute to ZOA leader Morton Klein and to participate in award ceremonies for charismatic and controversial author and TV personality Glenn Beck, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chair of the House Foreign Relations Committee and Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-Minnesota).

Founded in 1897, ZOA is the oldest American Zionist organization. It has been headed by leaders of the caliber of Chief Justice Louis Brandeis, Rabbi Stephen Wise, Louis Lipkes, and Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver. In its heyday it was the most influential American lobbying group promoting the creation of a Jewish state and the key global Zionist fund-raising agency.

J Post’s Isi Leibler Praises ZOA’s Rising Mainstream Power, Only Group Criticizing Obama Hostility to Israel

By Isi Leibler

(DECEMBER 3, 2011 / JERUSALEM POST) It has been reported that American Jews still voted overwhelmingly Democrat in the recent midterm congressional elections. At the same time, there is mounting evidence that increasing numbers of American Jews at the grassroots level have become disillusioned and in many cases outraged by the shabby manner in which the Obama administration has dealt with Israel over the past six months. This despite the fact that the American Jewish leadership establishment, including AIPAC, failed to criticize the biased and frequently hostile remarks against Israel expressed repeatedly by President Barack Obama.

Yet in contrast to the establishment, the ZOA has emerged over the past year as the front-runner of American Jewish organizations which consistently condemned the administration with respect to its Israel policies. This has resulted in many rank-and file American Jews, disappointed by the embarrassing silence of their leaders, no longer considering the ZOA to be a marginal or extremist group.

CANDIDLY SPEAKING: Has the ADL Lost the Plot? - The Jerusalem Post

By Isi Leibler

(AUGUST 16, 2016 / JERUSALEM POST) I rubbed my eyes with incredulity when I read the bizarre statements emanating from Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), one of the most powerful American Jewish organizations whose principal mandate is to combat anti-Semitism.

A few months ago I was drawn into a heated dispute with Greenblatt after criticizing an address he delivered to J Street students which included implicit criticisms of Israeli government policy and a failure to urge J Street to cease demonizing Israel and canvassing the US government to intensify pressure against the Jewish state.

Instead, he should have encouraged them to engage in the battle against the mushrooming anti-Semitism proliferating on campus. Greenblatt responded that he was “impressed” with these students and felt that they were “the future Jewish leaders of our community.”

Zionist Organization of America | More Strong Criticism of ADL Greenblatt’s Actions by JPost’s Isi Leibler

By Isi Leibler

(AUGUST 16, 2016 / JERUSALEM POST) Jonathan Greenblatt’s response to my criticism of his embrace of J Street, alleging that I distorted his message, is disingenuous and reaffirms my assessment. (click here for link) Invoking clichés “that there are steps Israel can take to ensure the viability of a two-state solution” are ill-becoming the head of a major Jewish organization whose contact with Israel has been minimal. It only serves to encourage U.S. President Barack Obama and the heads of other governments to intensify pressure against us. Greenblatt is surely aware that there is a consensus in Israel supporting immediate separation from the Palestinians, but also a recognition that further unilateral concessions in the absence of a genuine peace partner would endanger our security.

Greenblatt explicitly condemned Jews who deny the rights of “marginalized Palestinians” and fail to recognize the legitimacy of “the Palestinian narrative.” When he condemned “those who place blame on one side instead of putting forward solutions that acknowledge the role and responsibility of both sides”, he provided grist for the propaganda mills of those applying moral equivalence to Israelis and the Palestinians sanctifying terrorism and bent on our destruction. Greenblatt now reiterates (as I initially stated) that in his address to J Street, he also made remarks supporting Israel and condemning anti-Semitism. So what?

Zionist Organization of America | JPost: ZOA Only Group to Confront Reality – ADL/Others Must Listen to ZOA Wise Counsel

By Isi Leibler

(DECEMBER 6, 2016 / JERUSALEM POST) Throughout the 2,000 years of Jews living in the Diaspora, there has been no precedent for the behavior of major liberal mainstream sectors of the American Jewish community. They are undermining themselves and provoking massive waves of resentment from Americans, many of whom were favorably disposed toward them.

The United States has been the home of the largest Jewish community in the Diaspora over the past half-century and was regarded by many Jews as the “goldene medina.” Traditional antisemitism is at an all-time low with the exception of the current anti-Israeli agitation initiated at campuses by Muslims and far-left radicals. Many Jews have become affluent and powerful, and Jews in general are highly respected by most Americans.

Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy.

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