Real anti-Semitism

By Joseph Farah

Why is it that some Jewish leaders in the United States seem to be more concerned about non-existent anti-Semitism in Mel Gibson’s new movie than the very real anti-Semitism expressed by the so-called “moderate” prime minister of the Palestinian Authority?

Abraham Foxman, director of the Anti-Defamation League is on something of a one-man crusade against Mel Gibson’s “The Passion,” a reverential epic on the suffering death of Jesus Christ. Check out the ADL website if you think I’m exaggerating.

At the same time, Mahmoud Abbas – Yasser Arafat’s partner in crime within the Palestinian Authority – on the eve of a visit in Washington with President Bush, still refuses to distance himself from his 1982 doctoral thesis suggesting Jews conspired with Adolph Hitler to annihilate European Jewry.

Is it silly to point out that Abbas and his hatemongering terrorists within the leadership of the Palestinian Authority represent a far graver threat to the Jewish people than Mel Gibson?

I think not.

So what gives? Why is the ADL promoting panic within the U.S. Jewish community over art that has been universally praised by those who have actually seen it – including me. And, more importantly, why is the ADL actually defending the phony peace process in the Middle East – a partnership with unrepentant Jew-haters like Abbas?

Oh, you mean you didn’t know the ADL actually supports Abbas? You didn’t know the ADL has fallen hook, line and sinker for Abbas’ phantom peace efforts? You didn’t know the ADL actually buys into the lie that Abbas and his friends within the PA will be satisfied to live in peace and harmony with a Jewish state?

I offer as evidence a press release dated June 4 of this year from the ADL: “The Anti-Defamation League called today’s summit in Aqaba, Jordan, “a significant step” in the pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation and peace and said the crucial test would be in implementation and accountability.

“Glen A Tobias, ADL national chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director issued the following statement: ‘Today’s summit in Aqaba was a significant step in the pursuit of Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation and peace. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas’ statements rejecting terrorism and anti-Israel incitement and hatred were important and encouraging. We applaud Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for his courage in seeking peace with security. We have great appreciation for President George W. Bush’s intensive and determined efforts to bring about this meeting and to move toward his vision of Middle East peace of two nations living side by side in peace and security.'”

There you have it. Abbas is a peacemaker, according to the ADL, and Mel Gibson is a threat to the Jewish people. Something’s wrong here. This does not add up. This does not compute.

Is it possible there is more to this than meets the eye? Why would the ADL downplay Abbas’ track record of blatant anti-Semitism and embrace him as a partner for peace, while launching an unrelenting assault on Mel Gibson?

Here’s my theory: Like many non-profit organizations, the ADL is constantly searching for fund-raising opportunities – particularly among U.S. Jews. While there are many good, solid Jewish organizations fighting the real threat of the phony peace process in the Middle East, the ADL focuses its attention on phantom threats here in the U.S.

In recent years, the Christian community and the Jewish community in the U.S. have grown closer and closer. There is a real partnership between them – not just on foreign policy issues, such as the Middle East, but on domestic issues as well. Perhaps that partnership threatens the ADL. Perhaps the group has determined to smash that coalition as a matter of self-interest. Or, perhaps it really believes Mel Gibson is a greater threat to Jews worldwide than Mahmoud Abbas and Yasser Arafat.

As for me, I intend to continue fighting real anti-Semitism rather than spending my time looking for it where it doesn’t exist.

Joseph Farah

Joseph Farah is founder, editor and chief executive officer of WND. He is the author or co-author of 13 books that have sold more than 5 million copies, including his latest, "The Gospel in Every Book of the Old Testament." Before launching WND as the first independent online news outlet in 1997, he served as editor in chief of major market dailies including the legendary Sacramento Union. Read more of Joseph Farah's articles here.