Jonathan Greenblatt on Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism and Free Speech

Key Takeaways

The ADL reports an unprecedented surge in anti-Jewish incidents across the U.S.
The ADL rigorously defines anti-Semitism, distinguishing it from legitimate criticism of Israel.
ADL views anti-Zionism as anti-Semitism, asserting the Jewish right to self-determination.
The ADL voices concerns about specific student group rhetoric post-October 7th attacks.

Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL head, described the current situation for American Jews as a “time of great concern” due to a tenfold increase in anti-Semitic incidents over a decade.
The past year marked the fifth time in six years that a new record was set for harassment, vandalism, and violence against Jewish people or institutions.
A pivotal 2021 incident in Times Square, where a Jewish man was severely beaten, signaled a new “open season on Jews” and a normalization of public anti-Semitism.
The October 7th attacks “turbocharged” this escalation, leading to astonishing public celebrations of violence and the targeting of Jewish individuals with pro-Hamas symbols.

The ADL employs a rigorous audit process, only counting incidents with clear anti-Semitic evidence; they do not count every instance of anti-Israel sentiment or protest.
Greenblatt clarified that phrases like “Free Palestine” are not inherently anti-Semitic, and criticism of Israeli policy is not equated with anti-Semitism.
The line into anti-Semitism is crossed when criticism demonizes all Israelis, delegitimizes the state, or applies double standards to Israel compared to other nations.

Greenblatt defined Zionism as the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in their homeland, describing it as a liberation movement that does not exclude Palestinians.
He equates anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, viewing it as the belief that Jews lack this right and an ideology committed to the elimination of the Jewish state, which he finds problematic and nihilistic.
The ADL focuses on the “lived experience” of Jewish people, where anti-Zionist rhetoric like “from the river to the sea” and “globalize the intifada” creates conditions for violence.

The ADL raised concerns about Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) after October 7th, suggesting universities investigate them for material support of a terrorist organization.
Greenblatt cited their use of terms like “Zionist entity” and “genocide” which he felt mimicked Hamas’s language, emphasizing the pattern of behavior and language.
He clarified that the ADL's concern stems from conduct and actions, such as distributing Hamas literature, rather than merely speech or thought.
The ADL supports accountability for actions, distinguishing between legitimate criticism and behavior that incites hate or violence, even while supporting due process.