December 20, 2016
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As 2016 draws to a close, the Anti-Defamation League is counting down the major milestones we accomplished this year in the fight against hate.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt articulated the statement above early in the year and this really set the tone for 2016 in ADL’s continued fight against the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
At the “Ambassadors Against BDS Summit” at the United Nations Greenblatt stressed that we need to expose and combat the extremists who are behind it so that people can see “BDS for what it is: a continuation, a modern version if you will, of an irrational hatred of the Jewish people.”
This view reflects the priority which ADL has given this issue under the leadership of Jonathan Greenblatt.
Recognizing the need for a focused and comprehensive strategy to combat the delegitimization of Israel, ADL forged a new joint initiative with the Israel-based Reut Institute to examine trends in the anti-Israel campaign, understand its root causes, and to develop strategies to confront this this mounting challenge.
The collaborative work will be based on in-depth analysis of the delegitimization campaign both in the United States and globally. Findings from this study will serve as the basis of a comprehensive strategy to inform the approach of both organizations and for use by others engaged in this effort.
The ADL-Reut partnership was shaped by a mutual commitment to expose and resist the campaign to single out and isolate Israel while negating the right of the Jewish people to self-determination.
As Jonathan Greenblatt noted in Medium, “The BDS movement has been able to capitalize on attracting to its ranks many who legitimately seek a lasting peace between the Israel and the Palestinians. But it’s crucial to note — this end state is not what BDS seeks.” It’s vital therefore that as a community we offer a credible alternative to those who genuinely seek to make a positive impact.
2016 was a year chock full of successful ADL efforts on BDS:
- Analyzed more than 1,000 anti-Israel events and programs on campus over the last two years. ADL monitors trends nationwide and deliver high-impact, targeted responses—such as helping students defeat BDS resolutions and campaigns.
- Responded locally to anti-Israel incidents and campaigns around the country, and positively influenced campus climate policies and practices.
- Educated 2,500+ college and pre-college students in 2016 on ways to equip students to identify and respond to anti-Semitism through our Words to Action
- Consulted with campus administrators, staff and students to foster greater understanding of anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism and anti-Israel sentiments.
- In 2016 We took student leaders from across the country to Israel where they interacted with Israeli Jews, Arabs and Palestinians, hear diverse perspectives and experience the everyday contradictions and realities of life in Israel. Student anecdotes showed us that upon their arrival back home, they returned with a greater understanding of Israel, and actively work for a more balanced and constructive approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on their own campus.
- Engaged with Christian denominations and coalition partners to counter anti-Israel campaigns.
From our groundbreaking new partnership with the Reut Institute, to working on the ground on college campuses, to our monitoring of anti-Israel activity, 2016 was a busy year in the attempt push BDS to the far corners.
On a daily basis, we’re mapping where the BDS movement is most effective, where it might appear tomorrow, and continuing to strategize on the most effective tools so that our community can effectively counter it.
Stay tuned.