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For Immediate Release
September, 30 2022, 11:50am EDT
Contact:
David Swanson david@rootsaction.org, Norman Solomon norman@rootsaction.org, Jeff Cohen, jeff@rootsaction.org
Petition Asks Anti-Defamation League to Cease Defamation
WASHINGTON
Online organizing group RootsAction.org is collecting signatures and comments on a petition it plans to deliver to the Anti-Defamation League. The petition reads, in its entirety:
We urge you to cease defaming Congresswoman Tlaib. You've falsely accused her of anti-Semitism and of wrongly calling Israel an apartheid state, even though Israel clearly is an apartheid state, as documented by Amnesty International, Israel's B'Tselem, Human Rights Watch, and the UN Special Rapporteur for the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory. Please apologize.
Here's a recent defamatory statement about Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib tweeted by the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL):
"In one sentence, @RepRashida simultaneously tells American Jews that they need to pass an anti-Zionist litmus test to participate in progressive spaces even as she doubles down on her #antisemitism by slandering Israel as an apartheid state."
Here's what Tlaib actually said:
"I want you all to know that among progressives, it becomes clear that you cannot claim to hold progressive values yet back Israel's apartheid government."
She didn't say anything to American Jews. She didn't tell anyone they needed to pass any litmus test. She didn't say anything anti-Semitic. And she didn't slander Israel as an apartheid state, because Israel is an apartheid state. (See background below.)
Here is a small sampling of comments people have begun adding to the petition:
Palestinians are human beings too. Acknowledging that simple fact does not make one an anti-Semite; the fact that Israel's government will not acknowledge it makes it an apartheid state.
Just as I work against anti-Judaism, I work for progressive change in Israel and the rights of Palestinians. Both are human and international rights that must be honored. Human Rights for Palestinians!
I come from a Jewish background and strongly oppose Israel's mistreatment of Palestinians.
Rashida speaks truth to power! Finally, somebody standing against powerful Israeli lobbies.
Israel has been complicit in the genocide of Palestinians for decades. Their actions should be condemned not applauded.
When the deliberate lying stops, then this country will be in better shape.
All major human rights organizations have concluded that Israel is perpetrating the crime of apartheid against Palestinians. Most of the world knows this. This must stop. As in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, there must me one person one vote. All rights to all. No more second and third class citizens.
I'm Jewish and I am appalled by your tweet. Rashida is not anti-Semitic, anyone who knows her knows that is a ridiculous claim. ADL and APAC are the ones making litmus tests that Andy Levin isn't as good a Jew as the Christian Haley Stevens. We have to be able to have open, honest discussions about Israel or there will never be peace.
As a Jewish supporter of Rep. Tlaib, I am grateful for a consistent advocacy for human rights in the US and in our foreign policy.
You guys have turned into what you used to hate. Shame - we really need your voice as it was.
RootsAction is dedicated to galvanizing people who are committed to economic fairness, equal rights for all, civil liberties, environmental protection -- and defunding endless wars. We mobilize on these issues no matter whether Democrats or Republicans control Washington D.C.
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