Musk claims ADL are ‘biggest generators of antisemitism’ on Twitter
Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform he now calls X, launches attack on the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Elon Musk has sparked anger after claiming the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) organisation are “the biggest generators of antisemitism” on Twitter, the social media platform he owns and now calls X.
The billionaire made the remark in response to a video clip of conspiracy theorist presenter Alex Jones claiming on his Infowars show that the ADL are “the most pro-Hitler organisation I have ever seen in action.”
Musk tweeted in response:”The ADL, because they are so aggressive in their demands to ban social media accounts for even minor infractions, are ironically the biggest generators of antisemitism on this platform!”
Worryingly, the Inforwars clip had been shared on Twitter by Keith Woods, known as an Irish white nationalist, who has faced antisemitism claims himself.
When another Twitter user wrote that the ADL “claim to represent the interests of Jewish people but they do not”, Musk responded by tweeting, “Exactly.”
Musk then later attempted to clarify his action tweeting:”To be super clear, I’m pro free speech, but against antisemitism of any kind.”
He then claimed:”Since the acquisition, The ADL has been trying to kill this platform by falsely accusing it & me of being antisemitic.”
The journalist Sam Sokol responded tweeting:”Blaming Jews for causing antisemitism is an old antisemitic trope @elonmusk.”
The Board of Deputies Daniel Sugarman tweeted:”Every significant Jewish organisation knows that if they dare call for antisemites to get some come-uppance, enemies will attack them for being *aggressive* or *vengeful*
“They can either do nothing in the face of antisemitic abuse, or get accused of being 21st century Shylocks.”
The ADL, led by CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, and set up to counter extremism in the US, has been outspoken over antisemitic hate on Twitter and other platforms.
It has also issued strong statements condemning ex-US president Donald Trump for using rhetoric about driving out “war mongers, globalists and communists”.
And the ADL has condemned those who spread conspiracy theories around George Soros.
Musk had made his latest controversial remarks after video of Infowars host Jones discussing the spreading of the #BanTheADL hashtag online appeared on Twitter.
The #BanTheADL tag has been embraced in America over the past week by white nationalists and others on the far right.
Jones told viewers:”Ban The ADL trending. We are not like the ADL, we don’t want to ban people and arrest people. We are not pro-Hitler like they are literally.”
Alex Jones doesn't want to #BanTheADL because "they're the most pro-Hitler organisation I've ever seen" pic.twitter.com/DK0738dN1e
— Keith Woods (@KeithWoodsYT) September 4, 2023
Responding to the campaign to ban them. the ADL had said in a statement it was “unsurprised yet undeterred that antisemites, white supremacists, conspiracy theorists and other trolls have launched a coordinated attack on our organisation.”
They added:”This onslaught comes following our participation in the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington, where ADL proudly marched shoulder-to-shoulder with African-American leaders and those from other minority communities.
“It also follows a meeting with the leadership of X, formerly known as Twitter, that clearly upset these hateful groups. Such insidious efforts don’t daunt us. Instead, they drive us to be unflinching in our commitment to fight hate in all its forms and ensure the safety of Jewish communities and other marginalized groups.”
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