Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes Why Won't The ADL Talk About "Hate" In Israel? 9/20/01 11:07:59 AM Becky Oberg for LSN New York, NY -- [Editorial Note: any other LSN writers who want a by-line instead of "LSN Staff" just let me know.] The Roman poet Juvenal asked "Who watches the watchmen?" A recent visit to the Anti-Defamation League's Web page raises that question The ADL, which calls itself "the world's leading organization to fight anti- Semitism, hatred, prejudice and bigotry", issued a press release condemning violence against Arab-Americans. "We are disturbed that a number of Arab Americans and Islamic institutions have been targets of anger and hatred in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. At this time of profound anger and anxiety, no group in this country should be singled out for hatred, prejudice or blame based on their ethnicity or religion," said the release. However, no mention is made of the Palestinians who are 'targets of anger and hatred' in Israel. The ADL also condemned the Evangelical Lutheren Church of America for passing a resolution asking for an end to aid to Israel. "American aid to Israel promotes stability and democracy in the Middle East," said the ADL in a press release. "Relief and full human rights for all in the region will come only when Palestinian society renounces violence, takes effective steps to end its terrorism against Israelis and recognizes the right of Israel to exist." Where is the "democracy" in the Middle East? Is it democratic to require civilians to carry ID to travel through their own land? Is it democratic to have 'Jewish-only' housing in Hebron? There is even a special link for anti-Semitism in the Arab World, although the ADL acknowledges, "Manifestations of Jew hatred were attributed to the ongoing resentments stemming from the hostilities between Israel and the Arabs rather than to any deep-seated prejudice. It was repeatedly pointed out that Jews living under Islam through the centuries experienced far more tolerance than Jews in Christian Europe." Why is it considered anti-Semitism to raise questions about how the government of Israel treats Palestinians? The ADL has also classified the traditional symbol for anarchy as a "general racist symbol". In the article explaining why, however, they admit "The majority of people who identify with this movement consider themselves non- racist or anti-racist. The symbol is more likely to be used in an anti- government context than a racist context." In other words, the minority raises questions about the whole. True, knowledge is power, and we need to be aware of what threat, if any, hate groups pose. But what safeguards are in place to keep them from becoming iased themselves? Quis custodiet ipsos custodes -- who watches the watchmen? Libertarian Socialist News Post Office Box 12244 Silver Spring, MD 20908 http://www.overthrow.com (check out our messageboards -- discuss this story on-line!) (Formerly http://www.libertariansocialist.com)
