John, doesn’t it seem like nearly every day brings another antisemitic assertion, another extremist challenge to the elections, another high-profile person fueling intolerance? As ADL’s Board Chair, I have had a ringside seat as our team has stepped up yet again, and I am proud to update you and the rest of the ADL community on the progress we are making.

When Elon Musk completed his purchase of Twitter, it rang alarm bells. Musk has long stated a preference for wide-open speech on the influential social media platform. We spoke out loudly and clearly about our concerns that his takeover could lead to the return of voices of antisemitism and extremism who had been banned from the platform. Earlier this week, ADL’s CEO Jonathan Greenblatt pulled together a lengthy conversation between Musk, ADL and other members of the Stop Hate for Profit coalition.

We are cautiously optimistic. Musk talked with us, and just as importantly, he listened. Afterwards he agreed to our request for a public commitment, so he stated (via a Tweet, of course) that “Twitter will continue to combat hate & harassment & enforce its election integrity policies.” He agreed to pause content moderation policy changes and to include groups that face hate-fueled violence in his planned ‘content moderation council’ to help Twitter review major decisions.

But actions speak louder than words, and ADL will be ever vigilant on what shows up on Twitter.

Also in recent days, NBA star Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets used his social media influence to promote a book and film that trade in deeply antisemitic themes including those promoted by dangerous sects of the Black Hebrew Israelites movement.

ADL and others urged Irving to disavow his initial comments, and while he initially refused, the Nets quickly released strong statements rejecting antisemitism and criticizing Irving’s messages.

After extensive work behind the scenes, yesterday we released a joint statement with Irving and the Nets — Kyrie apologized for the “negative impact” his post had on the Jewish community and he and the Nets pledged to donate $1M towards causes that work to eradicate hate. The Nets and their partners will host a series of community conversations about hatred based on religion, race and ethnicity alongside the ADL and other national and local organizations.

This situation continues to evolve. Today, Irving was asked whether he has any antisemitic beliefs. We reject his equivocal answer, which should have been NO. Clearly, he still has a lot of work to do, including offering a sincere apology and unequivocally rejecting the antisemitism espoused in the film he promoted. ADL continues to work with the Nets and NBA on this important issue.

Just another week in the life of ADL...

If you want to learn more about effectively fighting antisemitism and other forms of hate from ADL and an unmatched roster of high-profile experts from around the world, please join me on Nov. 10 at the Never Is Now Summit, whether you come to the Javits Center in New York where we will gather for the first time in three years, or whether you take part virtually from wherever you are. Thousands of voices, one goal. To fight hate now.

I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Ben Sax

Chair, Board of Directors

ADL