Efforts To Fight BDS Have Failed, Says ADL, Reut – Forward
Posted By admin on February 11, 2017
In a new report circulating privately in Jewish policy circles this month, two leading pro-Israel groups charge that Jewish communal efforts against the BDS movement have largely failed.
The report, issued by the Anti-Defamation League and the Israel-based Reut Institute, claims that Jewish groupss investments in fighting what they call the assault on Israels legitimacy has grown twentyfold since 2010, but that results remain elusive.
In 2015 and 2016, a long list of Jewish groups, in addition to the Israeli government itself, announced their own programs to counter the movement to boycott, divest from and sanction Israel. Organizations and donors pledged tens of millions of dollars to the effort. The report claims that its not working.
The challenge to the fundamental legitimacy of Israel[is] growing around the world, the report says.
The report comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government adopts an increasingly hard-line approach on settlements.
But while the reports authors acknowledge that the Israeli governments own actions play a role in the worldwide growth of anti-Israel sentiment, they propose their own action plan for what they call the pro-Israel network.
The prescription seems to contain a contradiction. On the one hand, it calls for a big tent approach that accepts progressive critics of Israel. And the other, it demands an all-out assault on leading critics of Israel, sometimes using covert means.
The instigators must be singled out from the other groups, and handled uncompromisingly, publicly or covertly, the report reads.
The report is the product of an unlikely partnership between the ADL, a historic Jewish civil rights group, and the national security-focused Reut. News of the partnership was first reported by the Forward last February.
At 30 pages, the document offers a strategic framework for opposing the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, among other efforts that the authors characterize as attacks on Israels legitimacy.
The report opposes new spending on pro-Israel efforts. Instead, it advocates for the better targeting of preexisting programs; the use of legal measures to take on incitement against Jews and Israel on social media, and additional investment in intelligence and strategy.
ADL and Reut are only circulating print copies of the report. The Forward was given copies on the condition that they not be posted online in their entirety.
In an interview at the Forwards offices in early February, ADL national president Jonathan Greenblatt acknowledged that the actions of the Israelis plays a role in what the report characterizes as the growth of worldwide anti-Israel sentiment.
The government of Israel can do a lot to change this dynamic, Greenblatt said. So can the Palestinian leadership.
Yet the report itself appears careful not to make specific demands of the Israeli government. Instead, it acknowledges that the lack of progress on political solutions are directly empowering the so-called delegitimization movement.
Its recommendations are targeted mostly at Jewish communal groups, and the broader hasbarah, or pro-Israel public relations, apparatus.
In places, the report appears to call for a broadening of the pro-Israel tent, and an end to the exclusion of progressive groups from Jewish spaces.
It calls for a narrower definition of delegitimization that will allow left-wing groups to be welcome in Jewish spaces. It also calls for authentic solidarity with other minority groups on issues of immigrant rights and racism. It cautions against narrow expectations of transactional benefits, arguing that such work can generally help the Jewish community re-acquire credibility among other minorities.
We invented intersectionality, Greenblatt told the Forward, referring to the ADLs history of finding common cause on civil rights issues across ethnic and religious lines.
Yet at times, the reports calls for a big tent seem strained.
The report suggests that red lines for inclusion in the broad pro-Israel network should be drawn at those who express criticism that is consistently one-sided, not nuanced and without context. That language has the potential to exclude many groups on the Jewish left that are fed up with Israels 50-year occupation of the West Bank.
The report also refers to targeted boycotts of West Bank settlements, a tactic supported by many progressive Jews in Israel and the U.S., as a challenge.
It calls for alternatives to targeted boycotts, but its recommendations can be difficult to parse: The polarization around the issue of targeted boycott is an indication of the lack of ethical clarity necessary in order to stand united against delegitimization by fostering diverse coalitions.
Finally, while the report advocates efforts to engage and win over most critics of Israel, it advocates a hardline approach to what it calls the instigators.
Gidi Grinstein, president of Reut, defended the call for acting uncompromisingly, in covert and public ways, against these critics.
We have to be very, very strategic, Grinstein said.
The reports authors argued that this narrow group of instigators are modern day anti-Semites.
Contact Josh Nathan-Kazis at nathankazis@forward.com or on Twitter, @joshnathankazis.
See the original post:
Efforts To Fight BDS Have Failed, Says ADL, Reut - Forward
- Christian Anti-Defamation League: "Bashing" [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2011]
- ADL Calls For "Major Law Enforcement Operaton" to Deal with Obamacare Critics 1/2 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Leo Frank and the Founding of the ADL, Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League Warns of 'lone Wolves' [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League Protest [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2011]
- re: anti-defamation league warns of 'lone wolves' [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League ADL Part 4 [Last Updated On: May 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- Alex Jones Talks About The ADL Attacking Him [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- Secretary Napolitano at the Anti-Defamation League Leadership Conference 4/22/09 [Last Updated On: May 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- Anti Defamation league [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- Alex Details ADL's Latest Attack on Him and Other Patriots on Alex Jones Tv 1/2 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- disclose Anti Defamation League ADL 7 Video [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League - Interfaith Mission [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2011]
- Closing Arguments of Frank Hooper against Brooklyn Jew Leo Frank August 21, 1913 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2011]
- Leo Frank Case 1913: Frank Hooper Closing Arguments for State of Georgia vs. Leo Frank charged with the Murder of Mary Phagan [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation league calls David Dees 'conspiratorial artist' [Last Updated On: June 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 7th, 2011]
- William Cooper - The Ugly Truth About the Anti-Defamation League #2 (Full Length) [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2011]
- ADL Calls For "Major Law Enforcement Operaton" to Deal with Obamacare Critics 2/2 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 17th, 2011]
- William Cooper - The Ugly Truth About the Anti-Defamation League #4 (Full Length) [Last Updated On: June 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 20th, 2011]
- REICH PROPAGANDIST REPORTED AS "A PUBLIC DANGER" BY ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2011]
- William Cooper The Ugly Truth About the Anti Defamation League #2 Full Length [Last Updated On: June 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: June 26th, 2011]
- William Cooper The Ugly Truth About the Anti Defamation League #1 Full Length [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2011]
- The Racist Anti-Semitic Murder of Jewish Factory Boss Leo Frank [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2011]
- The Murder of an Innocent Jew [Last Updated On: July 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2011]
- The Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith by Dr. William Pierce 1/2 [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2011] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2011]
- David Icke - ADL, Zionism and The House of Rothschilds need to be exposed [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2011]
- William Cooper The Ugly Truth About the Anti Defamation League 5 Full Length [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 23rd, 2011]
- Cadeflaw Advocates 2010 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 1st, 2011]
- August 17, 1915: The Only Jew Lynched in North American History [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2011]
- Anti-Semitism August 17, 1915, the only lynching of a Jew in USA history. Leo M. Frank gets lynched by a Mob. [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2011]
- James Baldwin and Dick Gregory: "Baldwin's Nigger" (1969) - Video [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League Calling For Helen Thomas Suicide Or Death [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2011]
- The Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith Born in the Murder Trial of Pedophile Rapist Leo Frank [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2011]
- The 1913 Murder Trial that resulted in the Birth of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith [Last Updated On: August 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2011]
- William F. Buckley Gives Muhammad Ali His Props (December 12, 1968) - Video [Last Updated On: September 3rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2011]
- Alicia Bleier of the Anti-Defamation League on Larry King murder trial [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 3rd, 2011]
- Driven by a mission [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- FB 4.5: Simple Android app - Run Configuration - desktop adl [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- ADL Calls For "Major Law Enforcement Operaton" to Deal with Obamacare Critics 1/2 [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- ADL Jews Want To Talk To Farrakhan [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Tell the ADL to go to Hell [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League - Security Skills [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- William Pierce on the ADL 1/2 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- ADL Exposed: (Anti Defamation League) A Zionist Propaganda and Fake Agency [Last Updated On: October 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 10th, 2011]
- Anti-Defamation League Calling For Helen Thomas Suicide Or Death - Video [Last Updated On: October 15th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 15th, 2011]
- Slemany Adl Aziz Bo Medane Azade Slemany 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- ADL attacks me, how desperate and pathetic they must be - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 16th, 2011]
- Anti Defamation league - Video [Last Updated On: October 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 17th, 2011]
- ADL Calls For "Major Law Enforcement Operaton" to Deal with Obamacare Critics 2/2 - Video [Last Updated On: October 18th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- Muhammad Ali interviewed by Howard Cosell (Nov. 4, 1974) - Video [Last Updated On: October 19th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 19th, 2011]
- William Cooper - The Ugly Truth About the Anti-Defamation League #1 (Full Length) - Video [Last Updated On: October 20th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Control Resistance "Declaration" - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 20th, 2011]
- Muhammad Ali Interview with Ian Wooldridge (1969) - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 21st, 2011]
- ISRAEL - The Promised Land of Organized Crime - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2011]
- William Cooper The Ugly Truth About the Anti Defamation League #2 Full Length - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Farah Calls Ted Pike a Lying Anti-Semite (Oct 2011) - Video [Last Updated On: October 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2011]
- Speach02(Dr. Bounthone Chanthalavong- Wiese) - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Defamation - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2011]
- Defamation - ADL bullying Ukraine into downplaying the Holodomor as serious as the Holocaust - Video [Last Updated On: November 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2011]
- Rabbi David Komerofsky Testimonial - 2010 ADL Austin Torch of Liberty Award Dinner - Video [Last Updated On: November 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: November 30th, 2011]
- The Illustrated Protocols Of Zion - Video [Last Updated On: December 11th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2011]
- William Pierce on the ADL 1/2 - Video [Last Updated On: December 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2011]
- Mosque at Ground Zero: That's Bullshit - Video [Last Updated On: January 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 6th, 2012]
- Michelle Monaghan and Alice Eve ADL Entertainment Industry Awards Arrivals - Video [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2012]
- Has Jewry Infiltrated The Local Police? - Video [Last Updated On: January 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2012]
- ADL 122 - Lotte e Duri Armenti - Video [Last Updated On: January 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: January 25th, 2012]
- Jew(s) Against the Anti-Defamation League - Video [Last Updated On: February 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 8th, 2012]
- Controversial Former News Anchor Speaks To ADL - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2012]
- A Tribute to the ADL - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2012]
- Who's Behind The Firing Of Pat Buchanan? - Video [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2012]
- ADL condemns upcoming Oakland talk by ‘hate-mongering’ activist [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2012]
- Adolf HITLER Shampoo Commercial for Biomen - Video [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2012]
- The Anti-Defamation League A Day of Difference - Video [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2012]
- Whole Foods Market - Anti Defamation League - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- Anti-Defamation (2/4) - Video [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2012]
- Anti-Defamation League Responds To Oak Creek Temple Shooting - Video [Last Updated On: August 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 7th, 2012]
- High School Interns Learn How To Combat Prejudice [Last Updated On: August 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: August 16th, 2012]
- Who Exactly Owns The Media 2012? - Video [Last Updated On: October 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2012]
- Egypt prayer for destruction of Israel - Video [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2012] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2012]
- ADL Behind The Scenes - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
Comments