To the Editor:

It is wrong to characterize "old-guard" Jewish groups as slow in recognizing new mutations of anti-Semitism on the Internet, or as being behind the curve when it comes to the proliferation of offensive material on YouTube, Facebook and other social-networking sites ("Anti-Semitism 2.0 Going Largely Unchallenged," Feb. 22).

The reality is that this issue has long been at the forefront of ADL's agenda in working to expose and counter hate. Our cutting edge Center on Extremism devotes a cadre of full-time researchers and analysts to monitoring blogs, social-networking sites, ews and information sites, and anti-Semitic and racist Web sites.  We've exposed sites by and for white supremacists, educated law enforcement about terrorist use of steganography (secret communications woven into the fabric of innocuous Web sites) and cryptography, and intercepted real-time discussions among our nation's most virulent bigots.  Our efforts in monitoring hate sites have had significant results, including convictions.

Just as there has been no one antidote to anti-Semitism over the centuries, there is no one method for stopping its proliferation on the Web.  That is why ADL is engaged in a multi-pronged approach. We devote substantial resources to train law enforcement on extremists' use of the Internet; work with major Internet service providers to remove anti-Semitic and racist material; and create curricula for educators to help combat cyberbullying. Our expertise is relied upon not just in this country, but globally, and we are the United States' representative on the International Network Against Cyberhate. 

For 95 years ADL has been vigilant in the fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred and bigotry.  We are proud to be the "old guard" and even prouder to be "on guard" with state-of-the-art research, analysis and response to each disturbing new trend in cyberspace.