On October 21, 2013, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) published a new report titled: The Top Ten anti-Israel Groups in the US, in which it identified the most virulent of antisemitic organizations in America. While I do not always endorse the ADL's methods and/or tone in their reporting, or even some of their conclusions, I do find their research always very useful.
In order for people of good faith to be able to fight antisemitism properly, they must be aware of the enemy and its posse. The newly published ADL list sheds some light on the source of anti-Israelism and anti-Zionism that, as I have explained before, are simply "antisemitism repackaged."
The list in question includes these ten organizations that most people probably have never heard of, yet they are very influential in reshaping today's worldview on Israel. The list in alphabetical order is as follows. I have added a brief summary of who they are (for more details, you can read the full report linked above):
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Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER)
Under the banner of a respectable anti-war and anti-racism coalition, ANSWER often militates against Israel in no uncertain terms. They have often supported Hamas and Hizbollah and have equated Zionism with terrorism. -
American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
This anti-Zionist organization focuses on helping college students organize anti-Israel events on American Campuses. They are partially responsible for a newest trend known as "Campus Intifada" and work in cooperation with another group further down the list known as "Students for Justice in Palestine". They also are strong supporters of The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS). -
CODEPINK: Women for Peace
Here is another organization that promotes world peace in general, yet they go out of their way to disrupt pro-Israel rallies and conferences. They also push the BDS agenda. They are very connected with many liberal factions helping promote a leftist approach to fight war, injustice and of course the "Israeli occupiers". -
Friends of Sabeel-North America (FOSNA)
Started in 1997 by Naïm Ateek, this organization plays the "Palestinian Christian" card so well that it is now garnering the support of many Evangelicals against Israel. Naïm Ateek promotes what is known as "Christian Palestinianism" that is nothing less that revisionism to strip Israel and the Jewish people of any connection to the Holy Land historically, geographically and politically. Several Christian denominations now support and invite FOSNA representatives to their congregations. -
If Americans Knew/Council for the National Interest (CNI)
Both organizations merged in 2010 under the leadership of former journalist Alison Meir. Meir is a staunch anti-Semite pushing for the US government to only get involved in the Middle East when it serves our interests (that is already an issue with me in and of itself). Because of the "Israel Lobby" Weir insists that US interests should exclude any partnership with or help to Israel. She claims that US help to Israel is very costly and damaging. -
Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)
This one is the most influential group in the USA with a budget of almost $1,000,000. They are largely responsible for the popularity of the BDS movement. They try to brainwash uneducated masses with movies about the Israeli occupation of Palestine. JVP claims to have Jewish roots and be proud of Jewish culture in a crafty attempt at appearing pro-Jewish when in fact they are wolves in sheep's clothing. -
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
In existence since 1988, MPAC claims–according to their mission statement– that they exist to enhance and promote Muslim involvement in all aspect of everyday life, especially political and civil. Of course, they are not concerned if their goal is achieved by throwing Israel "under the bus" as they have boldly militated against Israel and been very vocal regarding the recent Gaza Flotilla. They recently co-sponsored an event with FOSNA in a Presbyterian church in California, continuing to make progress within an uninformed –sometimes unwilling to be properly informed–Christian community. -
Neturei Karta (NK)
The oldest on the list, New York based Neturei Karta (Aramaic for "Guardians of the Gate") was started in 1938, 10 years before the re-birth of the modern state of Israel. They believe that they are the final religious authority about Israel and Zionism. They are virulently against Zionism. They have met with officials from Hezbollah as well as with ex-president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and other anti-Semitic governments and entities. They appear to simply be a sect of Hassidic Judaism but they turn out to be Jewish anti-Semites. If one could ever associate the two terms together, it would be to describe Neturei Karta. -
Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)
A growing movement of American students started on the campus of Berkeley in 2001 and now present on about 100 campuses. Their goal is to further disseminate anti-Israel propaganda on campuses by organizing pro-Palestinian events, inviting anti-Semitic speakers and promote BDS. They are behind most of the US campus led anti-Israel events. -
US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation (USCEIO)
Started in 2001 and based in St Louis, MO, USCEIO is a well funded organization that uses some of its resources for billboard campaigns trying to convince the US to end its aid to Israel. They are involved on American campuses. They also organize a yearly anti-AIPAC convention to fight the influence of the "Israel Lobby".
Many other organizations could have been included here. For the sake of space and time, the ADL as well as I will limit to the top ten. While many of us might never hear of these organizations, we must be aware of their existence as they all work in the name of justice, peace and tolerance, towards the same goal: THE COMPLETE ANNIHILATION OF ISRAEL.
Our quick perusal will show that they have infiltrated all aspects and all levels of our society. They are present in government, education, Judaism, politics, women's movements, and many Christian denominations. The virus is everywhere and the antidote is based on education.
Anti-Israelism and anti-Zionism have many faces yet all of them are just masks hiding the ugly face of anti-Semitism. A thorough study of God's Word would reveal to any honest student that Israel is not Palestine (It is never called that in any version, except on the maps at the end of the Bible and last time I checked, the maps are not inspired!). Israel is Israel, and Israel is God's Holy Land as we see in Leviticus 25:23:‘The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me.
The fate of those who hate Israel is clear throughout the Bible but maybe even clearer in Psalm 83:13-18 where we see that in spite of God's hatred for Israel's enemies, He still leaves room for them to come to their senses and have a change of heart before destruction. Knowing my gracious and merciful God, this is always a possibility and it continues to be my prayer for those who loathe Israel and my people.
O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like chaff before the wind.
Like fire that burns the forest And like a flame that sets the mountains on fire,
So pursue them with Your tempest And terrify them with Your storm.
Fill their faces with dishonor, That they may seek Your name, O Lord.
Let them be ashamed and dismayed forever, And let them be humiliated and perish,
That they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, Are the Most High over all the earth.
©2013 Olivier Melnick
www.newantisemitism.blogspot.com