Israel's Ten Most Influential American Enemies:The ADL lists the groups most dangerous

American Muslims for Palestine ad at a NY railway station

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in New York has drawn up a list of what in its view are the ten organisations in the United States most toxic to the welfare and standing of Israel, something it has done every year since Operation Cast Lead.

In its press release the ADL explains that the list is based on

"various criteria, including the groups’ ability to organize, sponsor and endorse Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns against Israel; their sponsorship of and participation in anti-Israel rallies, panel discussions or conferences; and their ability to pursue anti-Israel policy initiatives and lobbying efforts against Israel.....

In addition to their national impact and influence, many of the groups included in the list are known to employ rhetoric that is extremely hostile to Israel, Zionists and/or Jews.  Examples of this include:

Allegations that Israel or Jews control the U.S. government or the media;

Offensive parallels to the Holocaust by comparing Israeli leaders to Nazis or describing Gaza as the “new Auschwitz;”

Calls for the dismantlement of the state of Israel;

Expressions of support for terrorist groups that seek Israel’s destruction."

Explains the ADL's national director, Abe Foxman, the organisations listed are

"fixated on delegitimizing Israel and convincing the American public that Israel is an international villain that deserves to be ostracized and isolated. 

“The list represents the worst of the worst anti-Israel groups.  They lob any and every accusation against Israel, including charges of Nazi-like crimes, ‘apartheid’ policies, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and genocide. Their accusations are rarely, if ever, balanced with an acknowledgement of Israel’s repeated efforts to make peace with the Palestinians, or the legitimate terrorism concerns faced by Israeli citizens."

CodePink struts its stuff

The current roll of ignominy stands as follows (more about each of the groups can be found on the ADL's website):

   * ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism)
   * American Muslims for Palestine
   * CODEPINK
   * Friends of Sabeel-North America
   * If Americans Knew/Council for the National Interest
   * Jewish Voice for Peace
   * Muslim Public Affairs Council
   * Neturei Karta
   * Students for Justice in Palestine
   * U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

Continues the press release:

"New to ADL’s list of the Top 10 Anti-Israel Groups are American Muslims for Palestine, CODEPINK, Neturei Karta and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). Despite MPAC’s positive role in the civil rights, counterterrorism and interfaith communities, the group’s involvement in anti-Israel campaigns and its leadership’s consistent use of anti-Israel rhetoric is extremely troubling.

Once again, the Jewish anti-Israel group “Jewish Voice for Peace” (JVP) made the ADL list.  The group’s leaders and members of its Rabbinical Council are regularly invited to major anti-Israel events and conferences, and the group claims that its Jewish nature gives it a “particular legitimacy in voicing an alternative view.”  ADL further noted in its report that JVP “intentionally exploits Jewish culture and rituals” in an effort to convince other Jews that opposition to Israel does not contradict, but is consistent with, Jewish values.

Anti-Israel groups no longer ranking in the Top 10 have, for various reasons, scaled down the type of activity that merited their inclusion in the original report. They include The International Solidarity Movement, Al-Awda, the Muslim American Society, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations."

As will be seen, J Street (no foe to JVP) is conspicuous by its absence!

Read more here