CEO of the Anti-Defamation League: "We Must Act, or It Could Go Far"

"Pandemic times are characterized by increasing anti-Semitic sentiments," asserts Carol Nuriel, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League in Israel (globally known as the ADL). Nuriel, who has worked with the organization for the past eighteen years, recalls the SARS and swine flu pandemics. "Even then," she says, "there were numerous reactions worldwide, with accusations that Jews were to blame. Conspiracies claimed Jews were spreading the pandemic and profiting from it. Often, there was visible joy over the rise in cases in Israel. These are familiar patterns seen since the black plague days, continuing today with COVID-19."

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Stop Generalizing

The 'Anti-Defamation League,' led by Nuriel, is an American organization founded in 1913, aiming to end defamation of the Jewish people and promote justice and fair treatment for all. The organization includes 25 branches across the U.S., an Israeli branch, and European representation.

"We are a Jewish-American civil rights organization," the CEO clarifies. "This means we care for Jews, but also battle hate against all sectors. Today, for instance, there’s hate directed particularly at Asian Americans, who are being blamed for spreading COVID-19 across the U.S."

In Israel, unfortunately, the organization finds itself these days trying to curb defamation coming from within, as expressions of hate and slander against certain communities are repeatedly heard. "Our main worry is that currently, while everyone is confined to their homes, the discourse is mainly happening online, but it might move to the streets and turn physical," she warns.

What are you actually doing to stop the defamation?

"Generally, even during normal times, we operate with a variety of tools. Our foremost tool is a vast educational institute called 'A World of Difference,' launching educational programs focused on acceptance and shedding prejudices. The program operates in educational institutions as well as in dedicated adult programs. Additionally, we partake in public activities for refugee rights, primarily focusing on advancing legislation on minority issues and maintaining a hate-free and respectful net. We often have to fight against racism and discrimination within Israeli society. These phenomena are seen frequently, such as during the recent elections when inter-sector discourse became dangerously harsh."

Nuriel emphasizes that they are not a political organization and take care not to involve themselves in politics. "However, when hate or delegitimization arises politically, we must act against it. Thus, we engaged in various campaigns during the elections, trying to convey to every sector that our society’s responsibility is immense; we cannot allow hatred towards any group within the society."

How does your activity look these days during COVID-19 when the net is full of venom and hateful expressions?

"Due to the current hatred against the Haredi community, we're seeing that the main issue is generalization, and so we launched a campaign called 'Do not generalize.' It's an awareness campaign spread across the net, urging the Haredi community to stop generalizing. The Jewish people have suffered from baseless hatred and generalizations throughout the ages. We must not do to each other what others have done to us, which is terrible."

Nuriel also calls for a message: "These days, more than ever, we need social cohesion and solidarity. As I’ve already mentioned, the development of such hatred towards others could be extremely dangerous, and I don’t want to discuss terrible scenarios that might happen if hatred is not limited to words but leads to actions."

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Appeal to the Enlightened

Nuriel points out that they especially address the so-called 'enlightened' inciters who claim they aren't acting out of hatred but logic, citing figures and showing where the major COVID-19 hotspot is and in which neighborhoods are the highest concentrations of patients. "We try to clarify a simple fact to them – numerical facts are important only for treatment's sake, as there is no doubt treatment must be optimal, and public health must be prioritized. However, amidst public health protection, it’s unacceptable to legitimize anti-Haredi and harmful discourse."

In conclusion, she wants to convey this message: "The Israeli society is one that encompasses many social differences, and the crisis that has befallen us amplifies them. These are cultural and essential differences that exist even in normal times. It is an opportunity to raise the issue, discuss the various sectors and the need for different identities within society, look in the mirror and understand that the troubling discourse can be replaced by understanding and peace, for the benefit of all of us."

Beautiful words as theory, do you believe they are also practical?

"I am sure and believe that as we elevate this discourse, it will permeate, and we will indeed see results."