ADL Reverses on Keith Ellison, Now Opposes His DNC Leadership Bid

[riversedge]

ADL Reverses on Keith Ellison, Now Opposes His DNC Leadership Bid

http://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/219052/adl-reverses-on-keith-ellison-now-opposes-his-dnc-leadership-bid


The anti-bigotry watchdog drew the line when audio surfaced of Ellison claiming that U.S. foreign policy is ‘governed’ by Israeli interests. Its stance poses a test for the left and the organization itself.

By Yair Rosenberg

December 1, 2016 • 5:48 PM


Last month, when Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison announced his bid to chair the Democratic National Committee, he quickly came under fire from critics for his early ties to the Nation of Islam and its anti-Semitic leader Louis Farrakhan. As documented today in careful detail by CNN’s Andrew Kaczynski, in his youth, Ellison organized events for Farrakhan and defended him from charges of anti-Semitism. He similarly vouched for Kwame Ture (a.k.a. Stokely Carmichael) after he delivered a speech claiming “the Zionists joined with the Nazis in murdering Jews, so they would flee to Palestine.”

But as Kaczynski notes, Ellison has since repudiated and apologized for these activities and distanced himself from the Nation of Islam. And the Congressman reiterated this stance in a statement last night. Given this contrition, Anti-Defamation League director Jonathan Greenblatt came out in defense of Ellison last week, deeming him “a man of good character” and “an important ally in the fight against anti-Semitism and for civil rights.”

But earlier this week, new audio came to light that has altered the ADL’s stance. In a 2010 speech at a private fundraiser released by the Investigative Project on Terrorism, Ellison was recorded saying:

The United States foreign policy in the Middle East is governed by what is good or bad through a country of 7 million people. A region of 350 million all turns on a country of 7 million. Does that make sense? Is that logic? Right? When the Americans who trace their roots back to those 350 million get involved, everything changes. Can I say that again?

This sort of conspiracy theorizing ......................................

[Caliman73]

1. Well, the ADL is a pro-Israel, pro Jewish group.

It is within their right to consider their support for Ellison.

I actually disagree with Ellison with regards to our foreign policy in the Middle East being run through Israel. Our foreign policy is run for the interests of the wealthiest people in our country. We support Israel because of historical reasons, but also because Israel is a foot hold for American interests in the reason. We also support a sworn enemy of Israel, Saudi Arabia. We have had dealings with Iraq and Iran who have also wanted to destroy Israel. It isn't about countries and cultures and affinity. Our foreign policy is about how we can exploit relationships to advance the interests of the United States.

If there was somehow, some magical or scientific way that we could be freed from reliance on petrochemicals for our daily lives, we'd drop that whole region like a bad habit.

[riversedge]

2. Please see this post--Ellison wrote a letter to the ADL about this comment:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028325842#post3

[Caliman73]

3. I have nothing against Ellison

I think he is great and if he were not so needed where he is, he'd be one of my first choices for DNC Chair. Call me cynical, but my argument still stands.

The US uses Israel to try to dictate policy in the middle east and of course Israel uses the US to help insure its survival in a region surrounded by enemies who want to see Israel destroyed.

The entire region is a result of colonialist interests and greed on the part of European countries after the fall of the Ottoman empire and with the addition of US Petrochemical companies.

[ck4829]

4. In that same speech, Ellison said he wanted the US to be friends with Israel

Funny how nobody makes a snippet of that remark.

Also:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/journalists-keith-ellison-smear-campaign_us_58435707e4b0c68e0481543a

[tritsofme]

5. Ellison is not an acceptable choice for DNC chairman. He must be stopped.

[Caliman73]

6. Well you convinced me with your well reasoned argument...

Not!

Funny how people just say things and don't even take the time to give reasons why.