The Anti-Defamation League and Turning Point USA: The Final Straw

This article first appeared in the Times of Israel Blogs.

Ever since I got involved with the issue of Campus anti-Semitism at the University of California at Irvine (UCI), where I was teaching part-time, I have not been impressed by the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) approach to the issue. I had always thought that the ADL was the nation’s premier entity fighting anti-Semitism. But it quickly became apparent to me that their concern was only for anti-Semitism from certain quarters.

About 15 years ago, then-ADL director Abe Foxman spoke to a Jewish group in Newport Beach, California. One member of the audience, who was involved in UCI campus issues with the Orange County Independent Task Force on Anti-Semitism, asked Foxman for his thoughts on the problem of anti-Semitism at UCI, located just a few miles away in Irvine. Foxman’s reply was that there was no problem at UCI and that the administration of UCI and the students had it under control. What was going on at the time and subsequent events right up to the present day contradict that statement. I should add that while, for me, the statement was hearsay, it was the person who asked the question, a close personal friend, who related it to me.

Beginning in 2007, I began attending speaking events at UCI during the annual week of Israel-bashing in May, presented by the Muslim Student Union (MSU) and later Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The speakers varied from pure clowns to straight-out scary people, some misfit Jews who hated Israel, radicals and extremists. I usually engaged with them in a professional manner during the question-and-answer sessions. On a couple of occasions after the event, I went one-on-one with the speaker, again in a professional manner befitting an adjunct lecturer at UCI, and with a dozen or so young Muslim students standing around looking mean. I often asked myself, why was I (a non-Jew) standing there, subjecting myself to abuse while Jewish leaders were standing silently 20 or so yards away with their thumbs up their you-know-what? In addition, I personally observed the disruptions of Jewish events and the intimidating behavior of the pro-Palestinian mobs. I also realized that the university, both UCI and the entire University of California system, were doing little more than engaging in empty platitudes. I complained often to the university and publicly criticized them for their inability to protect Jewish students and their events on campus.

But more to the point of this article, what was the local chapter of the ADL doing about the UCI problem, aside from Foxman’s seeming indifference? I vividly recall those events every May when the head of the local ADL chapter in Orange County or his aide would, indeed, be present at certain outdoor events, but would only observe. Nothing more. I can say the same for the Orange County Jewish Federation and Hillel. Their position was that Jewish students should not get involved lest the situation become worse. Never did I witness anyone from those three organizations stand up and challenge the speakers and contest the toxic venom they were spewing, speech that aside from attacking Israel, all too often crossed the line into attacking Jews as people. In addition, it was my opinion that the ADL preferred to assign the blame for anti-Semitism to people like Donald Trump, MAGA Republicans, and various and sundry white nationalists.

Since I left UCI in 2016, I have only attended a few events on campus, and it is possible that these organizations have stepped up, given how much worse things have gotten since October 7, 2023. As for post-October 7, I have perceived a greater awareness on the part of the ADL as to campus anti-Semitism. After all, after October 7, 2023 and the ugly events that have come afterward, how could ADL continue to ignore the problem? I had been willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and say welcome to the fight. After all, we need all hands on deck, especially now.

But now comes the revelation that the ADL had listed Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA in their dossier of “extremists.” To me, this is the last straw. ADL has simply been infected with a left-wing agenda, and they even apply it to their stated mission of combating anti-Semitism. Charlie Kirk was no anti-Semite. He did not hate Jews, and he supported Israel. He knew who the bad guys are. When I first heard of Turning Point USA several years ago, my reaction was that this was just what universities needed. They still do, more than ever. Had I been paying more attention, I would have learned earlier about Kirk being included in this list. As I understand it, the ADL has now removed Kirk and TPUSA from the list and has reportedly shut down the dossier in its entirety.

That’s all well and good, but my perception is that they are reacting to the reportage. The fact that Kirk and TPUSA were listed as “extremists” by ADL only reinforces my opinion that they are still more focused on anti-Semitism coming from the right as opposed to anti-Semitism coming from Islamic quarters in the USA. Why else would they downplay the pro-Palestinian problem on our campuses for years, at least until October 7, 2023? This organization seriously needs to reexamine its priorities under Jonathan Greenblatt, who we all know is a man of the left. That is his right, but the issue of anti-Semitism in our country, especially on our campuses, should transcend leftist or rightist philosophies.

As one who admired Charlie Kirk and thought he was doing wonderful work, I am angered that the ADL branded him as an extremist. It just adds to the sickening character assassination against Kirk that continues since his assassination. The ADL has placed itself in some very bad company.