The Anti-Catholic, Jewish Anti-Defamation League

and the Protocols of Zion

 By Mark Alessio

During the days of the Mel Gibson “Passion” hysteria, Abraham Foxman, national director of the ADL, wanted to meet with Gibson. He wanted Gibson to alter his script in accord with criticisms listed by the members of the Ad Hoc Scholars Group, a bunch of elitists who helped foment the “anti-Semitism” hysteria by tearing apart a stolen version of the “Passion” screenplay. Of course, we were assured that the ADL did not want to censor Gibson, etc., etc.

In September of 2004, Abraham Foxman dashed off an angry letter to the CEO of Wal-Mart, complaining of the way in which the Wal-Mart website was selling the book, “The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion.” Earlier, Foxman had obtained agreements from some retailers to provide a disclaimer informing the public that they were not endorsing the book, and also listing an ADL statement concerning the Protocols. Wal-Mart listed no such disclaimer.

On September 21, 2004, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported that the Simon Wiesenthal Center has asked Wal-Mart to replace the Protocols with a Wiesenthal Center publication denouncing the book. “If they actually want to share the information,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, associate dean of the Wiesenthal Center, “they can make available the book we just published.” At the time, Wal-Mart replied that they are “committed to our customers, and continue to focus on providing a wide range of books that appeal to our broad customer base.” Regarding the Protocols, the Wal-Mart website stated:  “Some say the issue has already been settled conclusively — that it is clearly a forgery. If, however, The Protocols are genuine (which can never be proven conclusively), it might cause some of us to keep a wary eye on world affairs. We neither support nor deny its message, we simply make it available for those who wish a copy.”

This declaration of independent thought on the matter was too much for Abraham Foxman of the ADL. His letter to Wal-Mart declared that, if Wal-Mart wishes to “demonstrate its corporate responsibility,” it must “unequivocally state the nature of the book and to disassociate itself from any endorsement of it.” The outcome of this little battle of wills should surprise no one. On September 23, 2004, the Cybercast News Service reported that “under pressure from the Anti-Defamation League, Wal-Mart has agreed to remove a book offensive to Jews from its online catalog.” Wal-Mart attempted to save face by stating that they removed the book after taking into consideration “significant customer feedback.” Abraham Foxman lost no time in giving Wal-Mart the customary pat on the head for their docility. “We commend them,” wrote Foxman, “for their immediate decision to discontinue sales of the book.” Foxman’s press release also contained the ADL mantra: “We are not in the business of banning books, no matter how reprehensible they may be.” 

And it’s probably not over yet. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the Simon Wiesenthal Center plans to use this “victory” to pressure Amazon and Barnes & Noble to stop selling the Protocols online.

     A film about the Passion of Jesus Christ. An unflattering book about Jews. Words spoken by Theodore Roosevelt adorning a courthouse wall. What will the ADL, who are not into censorship, of course, try to censor next?