PayPal, ADL Investigate Extremist Funding; Swastika Grafitti at the State Department; Reactions Grow on Ben & Jerry's Israel Decision

July 29, 2021

THE WEEK’S BIG 3

PayPal is partnering with ADL to investigate how extremist and hate movements in the U.S. take advantage of financial platforms to fund their criminal activities. A swastika was found carved into an elevator at the State Department, prompting President Biden to speak out. Unilever’s CEO wrote a letter to ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt in which they made clear the company will continue to do business in Israel despite its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s move to stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Read on for more on these headlines, news you can use to fight hate and the latest info about ADL from around the country.

1.  PayPal, ADL to Research Blocking Transactions that Fund Hate Groups, Extremists

“The initiative will be led through ADL’s Center on Extremism, and will focus on uncovering and disrupting the financial flows supporting white supremacist and anti-government organizations. It will also look at networks spreading and profiting from antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, anti-immigrant, anti-Black, anti-Hispanic and anti-Asian bigotry.” Reuters: FULL STORY

+ READ: PayPal Partners with ADL to Fight Extremism and Protect Marginalized Communities

+ Jonathan Greenblatt tweet: Good to talk with @AndrewRSorkin this morning about @ADL’s new partnership with @PayPal to better understand how extremist and hate movements are attempting to leverage financial platforms to fund criminal activity so that we can mitigate threats.

2.  Swastika Found Carved Into Elevator at the State Department

“Blinken said that the swastika -- which was the centerpiece of the Nazi flag and is synonymous with antisemitism -- has been removed from the elevator and the incident will be investigated by Diplomatic Security, the federal law enforcement branch of the State Department.” CNN: READ MORE

+ Jonathan Greenblatt tweet: In a powerful and heartfelt message to employees after the discovery of a swastika in the State Department building, Secretary Blinken tells Jewish colleagues to "know how grateful we are for your service.”

+ ADL H.E.A.T. Map

3.  Amid Ben & Jerry’s uproar, Unilever Chief Tells Jewish Groups Firm Opposes BDS

“In a letter sent to several Jewish groups, including the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Anti-Defamation League, Unilever CEO Alan Jope said his global consumer goods giant ‘rejects completely and repudiates unequivocally any forms of discrimination or intolerance. Antisemitism has no place in any society. We have never expressed any support for the BDS movement and have no intention of changing that position.’” The Times of Israel: LEARN MORE

+ Jonathan Greenblatt tweet: .@ADL has been engaged in a deep dialogue with @Unilever management since early last week regarding @benandjerrys.

KEY ADL SOCIAL STATEMENTS

• Still thinking about the gut-wrenching testimonies from Officers Harry Dunn, Daniel Hodges, Michael Fanone and Aquilino Gonell...
• Thank you @POTUS for your strong reaffirmation that #antisemitism has no place in our communities…
• At a time of heightened threats to the community, demand for non profit security grants has reached unprecedented levels. Congress must increase funding for these critical programs…

IN THE COMMUNITY

• Southbury leaders denounce sign that likened Democratic Party to Nazis (News12 Connecticut – Steve Ginsburg interviewed)
• White supremacist symbol on Marin scoreboard investigated as hate crime (The Jewish News of Northern California)
• Jewish community leaders shut down Sen. Rogers’ ‘great replacement theory’ (The Jewish News of Greater Phoenix and Northern Arizona)

ADL IN THE NEWS

• Inside a KKK murder plot: Grab him up, take him to the river (Associated Press)
• How a Small-Town Sheriff Ended Up on a Crusade to Radicalize American Law Enforcement (Vice)
• ADL praises Cleveland Indians’ name-change to Guardians: ‘A welcome step’ (The Times of Israel)
   

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