Anti-Defamation League ramps up lobbying to promote controversial definition of antisemitism

[marmar]

(Guardian UK) The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has spent record amounts lobbying for bills opponents say are meant to punish criticism of Israel and target Jewish peace and Palestinian rights groups, marking a shift in strategy over the last several years.

The Jewish civil rights organization, founded in 1913, is the self-described “leading anti-hate organization in the world”, and has historically focused on combating antisemitism by shaping public opinion. Its lobbying spike marks a dramatic shift – it spent about $100,000 on lobbying in 2020 and is on pace to spend nearly $1.6m this year based on its first quarter expenditures, a Guardian analysis of federal records finds.

....(snip)....

The 16-fold spending increase is “breathtaking” and currently unmatched on Capitol Hill, said Craig Holman, who monitors lobbying issues with Public Citizen, a government watchdog non-profit that does not take positions on the Israel-Palestine debate. It comes amid a “fundamental shift in public opinion about Israel”, Holman said, pointing to nationwide anti-war demonstrations on college campuses.

....(snip)....

The House in late April approved the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which the ADL lobbied for and would codify a definition of antisemitism that would limit some speech around Israel. It would be used in federal civil rights investigations in schools and, critics say, could ultimately limit protests and criticism of Israel on campus. The bill has yet to come before the Senate for a vote. ...............(more)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/15/adl-lobby-antisemitism-definition

[marble falls]

1. A good cause with a terrible solution. Prior Restraint is a bad fit on a Democracy. The Constitution ...

... doesn't like it a bit in relation to free speech. Antisemitism has no place here or anywhere else. But it will not be legislated away.

[atreides1]

2. I don't support the ADL, anymore

This organization is attempting to take away free speech...what's next, a group of white conservative Christians will push for a law to limit speech that criticizes their faith?

I was under the impression that there are already federal hate crimes laws on the books, why should the ADL get special treatment that isn't given to the LBGTQ community, people of color, and women!

[Sympthsical]

3. It's a terrible law, however

Can we just sit back and appreciate the breathlessness of this Guardian article? Over $1.6 million in lobbying!

Yeah. In America, that . . . is not a lot. And, huh, I wonder why a Jewish anti-hate group would have cause to suddenly ramp up their activities. Bet people who don't see race . . . er, sorry . . . don't see antisemitism are as mystified as the Guardian seems to be.

Guys, you're not supposed to face your cards out. Cards to chest, cards to chest.

I thought getting JVP to talk shit was a nice touch. A little obvious, but nice.

In case anyone doesn't know what the Guardian is about, this was published after October 7th.

I’m a Jew at ‘The Guardian.’ I Don’t Feel Safe at Work.

And again, I really hate that law, so I disagree with the ADL about it. But this article is . . . exactly what one would expect given the atmosphere the Jewish employee describes. It's quite a hit piece.

[David__77]

4. Opposing Israel's social system is not anti-Jewish.