Anti-Defamation League rebuked for opposition to planned mosque at N.Y.'s Ground Zero

To the editor, How dare the Anti-defamation league downgrade the swastika as a Jewish Hate symbol. Almost a year ago on Yom Kippur evening my synagogue, Congregation Beth El had numerous swastikas painted on the building. No one has still been caught. Numerous additional swastikas have appeared in Edison New Jersey, with no one captured. I saw a skin head personally and no one followed up on my report. It is stupid to say as the ADL claims that" the swastika has become a more generalized symbol of hate.The extensive article in the Jewish Week conveniently leaves out the Edison story and the swastikas on my synagogue in particular. I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR AN INVESTIGATION BY THE ADL FOR ALMOST A YEAR. THIS ARTICLE EXPLAINS WHY THE ADL HAS DONE LITTLE OR NOTHING. THE ADL WIEGHS IN ON THE MOSQUE NEAR GROUND ZERO, YET REMAINS RELATIVELY QUIET ABOUT SWASTIKAS IN MY TOWN AND IN PARTICULAR ON MY SYNAGOGUE BUILDING. THE ADL ALSO FORGIVES OLIVER STONE WHO IS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK GETTING FREE PUYBLICITY ON HIS ANTI-SEMITIC REMARKS. I LOST MOST OF MY FAMILY IN THE HOLOCAUST INCLUDING TWO SIBLINGS AND ALL GRANDPARENTS I WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT. I OWE IT TO MY PARENTS, OF BLESSED MEMORY WHO SURVIVED AUSCHWITZ AND BUCHENWALD. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG EDISON Nj

I believe the Muslims in charge of this project should dedicate this Mosque to the lives of the people who died on Sept 11th. This should be a way of moderate/modernist muslims to defy the lunatics who call themselves muslims, and say this in the victims' name. That would be a great gesture on behalf of Muslims, and a compassionate message.

Nobody really takes anything that the ADL says is true. It is the funniest group of people on the planet, seeing anti-semitism EVERYWHERE IT LOOKS. I remember looking a their website and finding out that the "celtic cross" was a anti-semitic symbol. Absurd. They fear that Americans and Muslims will become friends, which threatens them because it is to their advantage if we where enemies.

This ADL statement is shocking because it is like Albert Einstein saying physics is irrelevent for society. ADL should be ashmed of itself.

Throughout Muslim history, political Islam have always built mosques at the sites of their military conquests and victories and that is what is taking place in New York City. I attended the community meetings. Heartbroken 9/11 family members clutching pictures of their loved ones murdered by the Koran ideology that resulted in the horrific attack, pleaded against the mosque. No mosque, pleaded a sad man. He read off a very long list of his firemen and policemen friends murdered on 9/11. A young woman pleaded for no mosque; relating how she saw one of the twin towers come down and after that walked by a mosque and saw Muslims celebrating in the street. Sacred ground zero is NOT the place for a mosque that lifts up and glorifies Islam. It must be a war memorial for our murdered 3.000 and ALL murdered victims of Muslim terror throughout the world. New York police and firemen willingly and courageously gave up their lives to save innocents. America shone that day through these heroes. It is our cherished victims and cherished heroes who must be lifted up and honored, NOT Islam!

I cannot think of a greater insult to the families of 3,000 people murdered by muslims on 9/11. The muslim terrorists openly stated goal - more mosques all over the world - in place of buildings they destroy.

WHAT'S IN A NAME? Ground Zero Mosque: "Cordoba House," Symbol of Conquest. Cordoba, a city in Spain, was conquered by Muslims in the early 8th century. Upon capturing the city, Muslims began construction on the first 'Cordoba House'. Prior to that, Spain, at the time a Christian nation, was a symbol of western civilization. Once it had fallen to Islam, the first 'Cordoba House' became an Islamic symbol of conquest. Warnings to westerners about the true intentions of Islam and insists the Islamic mindset has not changed, even after twelve centuries.The name chosen for the ground zero mosque is not an accident; it is intentionally provocative for a reason. It is a statement to Muslims that could embolden many of them. Symbolism is very powerful and can change cultures. Fast forward from 711 A.D. To 2001. New York City was home to the World Trade Center, a symbol of American economic might. When Islamic jihadists attacked the World Trade Center on 9/11/01, it was an act of symbolism as much as it was an act of Islamic terror. It was a message to the Islamic world that America could be weakened. In the years that followed, groups like the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) portrayed themselves as civil rights groups, exploiting political correctness to push their radical Islamic agenda that includes building their 'victory Mosque' at Ground Zero....

This is not intolerance. Proof is everywhere...every american city has multiple mosques. This is about respect, taste, sensitivity. This mosque is a direct finger being poked in the eyes of all americans, and specifically, all new yorkers. You may not like foxman, and you may be an anti semite, but the truth is, this mosque is in terrible taste and the people behind it know exactly what they are doing. They feel empowered by liberal democrats and the obama appeasement of islam, and so they know just how to move their agenda forward. Americans; wake up before you are like UK,France, Spain, Netherlands,Sweden, Norway. The west's very notion of open societies, freedom of speech, freedom of expression are being used against the west as our achilles heel, and they know it. Stop this madness, kick obama out in 2012

a self loathing tea totalling obama'ist, following the ridiculous mantra that we can make friends of the muslims...what a disgrace...a super mosque at ground zero? irs an affront to all the innocents who perished on 9/11. throw the liberals out...they are ruining the country and emboldening enemies of western civilization.

In the name of "brotherhood and understanding", condition the building of the mosque in NYC on the building of a Church in Mecca. Muslims wouldn't allow that in a million years

The ADL now says that the Swastika is not an Anti-Semitic symbol...??? What is happening to our ADL...they need a reality check

The real Question - would a non-mohammadan wearing cross and Kippah permitted on premises to enjoy the gifts of 'cultural" center?

But why build a Mosque there? Is there not another location? And YES! IT IS A GREAT INSULT to the ones who perished through the Islamofascists WHO MURDERED so many Americans.By allowing them to build a mosque there is tantamount of giving them carte blanch in agreement of THEIR DASTARDLY DEED. Not so much because of ADL,but wonder if the families who lost ther loved ones are thinking of this proposal.We have yet to hear rheir voices. Altogether a MOST INAPROPRIATE VENUE. I hope it is stopped before they even begin.

Moslems are counting on you, naive Americans, to be moderate, just and tolerant (concepts that do not exist in Islam), to show compassion and treat people equally (another non-Islamic concept), and allow this mosque to be built. In fact, they are counting on you to continue this politically-correct behavior so that they can be ultimately politically INCORRECT, become a majority in the U.S. (it will happen, I promise you), and turn the tables. Believe me, they won't be tolerant and compassionate to YOU.

It is very interesting to note that all the racist and haters oppose to build a mosque. Mosque is a prayer house where Muslims submits themselves to Almighty and prays for all human souls. It is same as others religious place. It was unfortunate that some Muslims were involved on 9/11 tragedy but Islam never sanctioned such killing not in any Islamic scriptures. It is also unfortunate to measure Islamic values by the behavior of some Autocratic and undemocratic, oppressive regimes of Middle east. It is also very sad that the Muslim haters got very upper hand in the International Media.

... of the feelings of the victims' families. Build your mosque somewhere else.

Moslems in general have nothing to do with the attack on WTC. This is nothing but defamation, suggest you change the name of ADL to DL. Applauds to Irwin Kula, M Bloomberg and Joe Klein. They should establish "The New ADL" !

When the plans for the Museum of Tolerance were announced? The MOT-Jerusalem has been criticized for being built on former Muslim cemetery grounds. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Tolerance#Jerusalem

My bet is the answer is NO. Also Muslims were also amongst those who died in the 9/11 attack, not just Christians and Jews. Foxman should have some respect for that fact as well instead of being an Islamophobe.

The ADL is quite right to speak out against the proposed mosque. Building such a mosque only adds insult to injury. Has New York City gone mad? Have they already forgotten who danced with joy at the destruction of the Twin Towers and the killing of thousands of people? Mayor Bloomberg is a fool if he really believes that the proposed Islamic centre will work to promote tolerance and co-existence. Does Islam promote freedom, human rights, tolerance, love of humanity? Think again. As to those who attacked the ADL, it is obvious that they did not do their homework, or are so blind as not to see what is staring them straight in the eye. Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf Rauf denied that Muslims perpetrated 9/11. And, who is financing this project? Rauf has said that he paid $4.85 million for the property -in cash. That’s a lot of cash. Who else? So far, it has been reported that money will come from unidentified sources in Saudi Arabia and Muslim Malaysia. Need one say more? Yes, just one more thing. The centre is to be called Cordoba House. Cordoba was the capital of the Caliphate in Spain during the Muslim occupation. When Mayor Bloomberg says "What is great about America and particularly New York is we welcome everybody, and if we are so afraid of something like this, what does that say about us?" I would say (1) there is something very fishy about the funding and purpose behind the centre and (2) you don’t know much about history, or Islam for that matter.

there should be NO mosques built in the US... or what's left of 'Free EUrabia'... there's SO much empty land in the ME!

Why don't the haters understand? Of course Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf should be able to build his Victory Mosque at the site of Ground Zero.

This is like erecting a monument to the turks in Armenia.

"Cordoba House" basically means "Ha Ha, we destroyed your tallest building, Ha Ha, we killed 3000 of you dirty scum infidels, Ha Ha, we will bring thousands of our people here to gloat and laugh at you stupid imbicile dhimmit nit-wits, while we plot for an a-bomb in the Bronx!

It's a shame that those financing the Cordoba project need to have the gross insensitivity of building a monument to Islam on the tomb of those killed in the name of Islam pointed out to them. it's not racism. It's common sense. But how about a multi-faith centre in Mecca or Medina?

abe foxman will accuse someone of being an anti-semite for the most inane reasons, yet he uses the NY mosque to criticize Muslims. Mr Foxman, stop calling that kettle black.

A simple question, why did building 7 collapse,since nothing hit it? Building 7 was controlled demolition, just like the other 2 towers. I would be very glad and happy, if somebody could explain why building 7 came down. I find it laughable that some people believe a man sitting in a cave in some remote part of the world, could organize such a complex operation to fly planes into the 'heart' of new york. At least 50% of the americans, and about 80 percent of the world do NOT believe osama did it.

Mosque not being built: Leftists say: Look, how racist they are. Mosque being built: Muslims say: Look, how dumb they are.

interesting that in living history we see a mosque built on top of the ruin of our greatest temple and now we Jews are not welcome there. Israel is a democratic state and there is proof of Muslim tolerance or non existance of it! Choose your path carefully America

The League used to fight discrimination, and now here they are, promoting racism! Among victims of 9/11 were Muslim people. People of all religions were killed in this tragedy.

oh yes let them build a good and moderate mosque on the ground that simbolyses america but then when then mosque is fully functionable will it not open its door to binladen followers or even family who like the terrorist that murdered innocent american and non american alike be dressed in america clothes? be sencible and stop making the error between tolerance and security and be tolerent towards the victim

This is the same ADL that was charged and convicted in San Francisco for spying on human rights and peace activists, which was done by a police officer in SFPD, and reporting the results to the Israeli intelligence agencies. ADL has always been on the dark side.

| feel that any Jew especilly Israelis should support the right of all faiths to practice safely and openly.. Most Muslims are not terrorists...... as most Jews are not colonial racists............... Myths, sterotypes, slogans and genralizations are unholy. I am both Israeli and American born. God bless America and the right to religious freedom everywhere. Earl in Haifa

Nothing proclaims victory louder than appropriating the graves of your victims for your own private sectarian use. The Catholic church knows this, Jihadists know this too.

The ADL is quite right to speak out against the proposed mosque. Building such a mosque only adds insult to injury. Has New York City gone mad? Have they already forgotten who danced with joy at the destruction of the Twin Towers and the killing of thousands of people? Mayor Bloomberg is a fool if he really believes that the proposed Islamic centre will work to promote tolerance and co-existence. Does Islam promote freedom, human rights, tolerance, love of humanity? Think again. As to those who attacked the ADL, it is obvious that they did not do their homework, or are so blind as not to see what is staring them straight in the eye. Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf Rauf denied that Muslims perpetrated 9/11. And, who is financing this project? Rauf has said that he paid $4.85 million for the property -in cash. That’s a lot of cash. Who else? So far, it has been reported that money will come from unidentified sources in Saudi Arabia and Muslim Malaysia. Need one say more? Yes, just one more thing. The centre is to be called Cordoba House. Cordoba was the capital of the Caliphate in Spain during the Muslim occupation. When Mayor Bloomberg says "What is great about America and particularly New York is we welcome everybody, and if we are so afraid of something like this, what does that say about us?" I would say (1) there is something very fishy about the funding and purpose behind the centre and (2) you don’t know much about history, or Islam for that matter.

The city of Cordoba was conquered by the Arab armies and their central church was converted into a mosque -- a sign of conquest. Why did they choose the name Cordoba -- a conquered city and a conquered church -- for this mosque?

Due to my bigotry, fear and religion I am against this mosque. However, I do not have the bterm “anti defamation” in my name. The ADL is embarassing.

You can not have Jewish Supreme court Justice, because some senators do not like it. You can not have a Jewish grocery store, because some people do not like it. You can not have Barack Obama as president, because some people do not like it. You can not have Libermann as VP candidate, because some people do not like it. So, freedom means, freedom for all.

If you honestly believe building this mosque at Ground Zero is a concilatory gesture then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell to you.

Time for a regime change within the ADL. While I personally don't trust the funding for this mosque and think NO religious memorial should be allowed, Foxman has gone overboard. Just because many of the Islamist organizations are racist doesn't mean ADL should behave in a similar discriminating fashion. That's very un-Jewish.

Foxman's position is un-American. Too bad he is joining right-wing crazies in the USA to alienate Muslims. Apparently, tolerance is to be expended only to Jews in Foxman's opinion.

"Our Mission: Cordoba Initiative aims to achieve a tipping point in Muslim-West relations within the next decade, bringing back the atmosphere of interfaith tolerance and respect that we have longed for since Muslims, Christians and Jews lived together in harmony and prosperity eight hundred years ago". I can understand if New Yorkers oppose to the proposed centre, but not the ADL, that must be glad that this centre is eager to contribute to respect for Jews, the goal of the ADL.

Just because freedom is a thing Americans cherish doesn't mean that the exercise of every freedom at every opportunity it appropriate. Not only is this offensive to survivors of those who lost relatives in the World Trade Center, but there is a symbolic gloating over the deaths by the erection of this Cordoba project. Cordoba was a historic victory of conquering Islamic forces over Westerners. Islam means to conquer the world. What more symbolic than to place a mosque (financed by Mid-Eastern countries) in the heart of American power and a concentration of Jews? If not intentional, how insensitive. I wouldn't eat ham in a mosque or dance at a funeral - though it is my legal right. The pursuit of this mosque and Islamic center is not a peace gesture. Foxman is correct - it is inappropriate, and that is putting it mildly. The US better wake up to the Islamist threat before it finds itself with the problems in England, Sweden, and elsewhere. Liberal idealism without a deeper or practical understanding will spell the end of your freedoms.

The ADL is hardly the largest and most influential American Jewish organization (except in its own mind), as this article claims. Nevertheless, ADL has once again waved the Holocaust and Islamic radical flag to reinforce its fundraising image among its loyal and slightly paranoid donor base.

I wonder what the aim of Haaratz 'reporting' is sometimes ....certainly not to inform or expose the truth , but maybe to misinform and inflame? The 'mosque ' is not ...it is a community center and it is not 'at ground zero' it is two blocks away. Your story would have done well to make these points clear and in the process making clear the provocation of the ADL.

It is not about being 'politically correct' . It is about hatred for Jews and Christians. Read your history. When Islam conquers an area they build a mosque over a Christian site or Jewish site. Both Jerusalem and Istanbul (Constantinople) for two sites. I say hooray for this stand against such a building.

He calls anyone who speaks against Israel's policies as anti-semite to demonize their opinion. Yet, look at this. I think Foxman is showing his true colors.

Is still offensive to the families. Even the Imam who planned this center admits it was a mistake. This is similar to a state being destroyed with it's holy sites, only to have a Mosque (ahum) built in it's place. It's called adding insult to injury.

This is particularly sad because the basic idea of the ADL...to combat hatred in all forms and end it once and for all...is one of the most beautiful ideas ever thought of in humanity. I hope tolerant Jewish leaders publicly voice their support for the right to the Muslim center!

The ADL knows this and must respect this.

Bravo Foxman. Joe Klein is a left wing propagandist without a shred of credibility left. His continued fawning over the Obama administration says it all.

Why not? Muslims have built the Dome of the Rock smack in the holiest location for the Jews, on its Temple. Out of what? Out of appreciation for Jewish religion and values? Out of freedom for self expression? Or as yet another gesture (one of the first ones to be exact) of the aggressive plight of Islam. It will be the biggest insult of of all times to build a mosque in Ground Zero.

The Imam is hardly a moderate and this planned mosque is salt on a wound-totally unnecessary.

When both Mayor Bloomberg and Time Magazine's Joe Klein object to the ADL's stand on any issue, then you know that the ADL is doing the right thing. A famous syndicated radio talk-show host, 7-9 million listeners a week in the USA, summed up Bloomberg perfectly, when he stated that Bloomberg has proven that even billionaires can be schmucks. And, just read a Joe Klein column, they're all non-sensical, reflecting a far-left viewpoint on the world.

He and the ADL have just become an extension of Newt and the Republican Dogma. It is a shame that a civil right organization is now just another Republican shill org.

We're become a country who has no sense of self preservation and who cannot see something blatantly obvious - this is a victory tower for them to rally around and truly believe they have defeated America. How sad, that with all our military might, we basically hand them the keys to our country. Maybe the US deserves this. It's too stupid to rationally survive in the world much longer.

People from different were victims of 9/11 not just from one partiuclar faith hundreds of Muslims included the terrorist scums didn't discriminate so please respect the victims whatever their faiths was some of Muslim victims prayed at the site which is proposed to be developed I don't see the big deal unless islamphobia is at work the Jews people who faced hunderds years of discriminations surely cant be part to this plain and simple racism

Foxman has lost his bearings. Freedom of religion in the U.S. is and must remain absolute - no deviations. The FBI and local law enforcemett agencies will certainly take appropriate action if the mosque is used for unlawful activities

on Muslim side. Should Germany build a hall of fame in Auschwitz? Are not enough Mosques in New York and 09/11 place is the last building place for such a building? It is not about tollerance of the others towards the Muslim on these grounds. All those so called "tollerant" persons have surely not lost any member of their family member during 09/11. It is like me making you Berlin as a present. I do neither own neither Berlin, nor do I have a share in it. Am I not generous? The plan to build is in itself an arrogant act, being done before approaching the families of the victims. This is good tradition among Christians and Jews, asking for forgiving before such an intrusive action. Endless arrogance.

Foxman represents himself. not he Jews! Even Mayor Bloomberg supports the Mosque! To h-ll wit the ADL Foxman appears to be a shill for anti semites. He has no place injecting his personal. beliefs in this, knowing that the world will use his words against all Jews.

...I'm with Joe Klein on this--although I might have used less colorful language--which no one would have paid attention to--and I DO think that Mr. Foxman slid off the "high moral ground" here--and ended up rolling in the mud at the bottom of the hill.

I don't know why Muslims would bother building a mosque near WTC, it would only bring them bad press. However Abe Foxman shouldn't be commenting on this. This is not the job of the ADL. Many Muslims died in the WTC, Iraq and Afghanistan due to Al-Qaeda terror. Trying to suggest that we are all somehow connected to Bin Laden is ridiculous at best. Maybe Mr Foxman is just frustrated with Hamas and taking it out on the rest of us Muslims.

Placing this mosque,in a place where there are limited worshippers,only shows that its true meaning is to incite New Yorkers. Thousands of people died because of the islamic religion and this iman does not preach tolerance but hatred. Somehow posters on this site have forgotten what these extremists did to America on 9/11 and what damage they could have caused if they were not thwarted on the flight that crashed in Pa. Doesn't anyone understand that by putting this mosque on this site is an act of belligerence by saying we have caused you great angst..history has showed us that muslims always place a mosque where they have conquered other people. Just look at the "golden pimple" in Jerusalem built on the Holy Temple. Let them build a mosque in Astoria,Queens where there is a large muslim population..no one will care. As for Mr.Foxman,,thanks for having some guts to stand up for what is right..the Rabbi on the other hand is a useful leftist idiot.

Foxam burnt any ADL's credibility when some years ago gave the prize of "statesman of the year" to Mr Berlusconi. This alone says everything about the nature of propagandistic tool of his organization and its seriousness

I've always been proud to be part of a tribe that has been at the center of civil rights movements in many countries. The more ashamed I am of this right wing zealot. One has to be particularly ignorant not to see the benefit of building a center that teaches people not to blow up planes or buildings - especially near the site of a bombed place.

Times have changed. Demagoguery has fallen out of fashion. Foxman and his ilk do far more damage than good to the image of Jews and of Israel.

If Saudi Arabia agrees to build a church and a synagogue in its own country maybe Americans will be more sympathetic to the idea.

Every group should make as much noise as possible in trying to stop the building of the "religion of tolerance" on ground zero!!!

This is not an issue of religious tolerance but of common moral sense. To build a mosque at Ground Zero is a stab in the heart of the families of the innocent victims of those horrific attacks. Just days after 9/11, the spiritual leader of the organization that wants to build the mosque, Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf, suggested that blame be placed on the innocents when he stated that the “United States’ policies were an accessory to the crime that happened” and that “in the most direct sense, Osama bin Laden is made in the USA.” Rauf refuses to recognize that Hamas is a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of our ally, Israel, and refuses to provide information about the sources of funding for the $100 million mosque. Rauf also plays a key role in a group behind the flotilla designed to provoke Israel in its justifiable blockade of Gaza. These are just a few of the points Americans are realizing as New York considers the proposed mosque just a stone’s throw away from 9/11’s sacred ground.

They have blown this big time and lost all credibility. Next time they are accusing someone of being anti semitic no one will respect their view.

It's a community center, which isn't the same thing. There's already a mosque in the area (Masjid Manhattan) that's been there since the 1970s.

and tolerance must prevail.Major Bloomberg is right. The vast majority of moslems is moderate and abhors the murderious and fascist AlQaida's ideologie and is to strengthen.

It's being built 2 blocks away. The Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf lost over 20 members of his congregation on 9/11 which included firefighters and first responders. This plan is really a community center to promote peace and understanding between peoples and religions. It also includes an activity center, restaurants and a swimming pool besides an area to pray. I bet if it was a synagogue or a Christian church no one would say a word. Probably if it was a synagogue and people were protesting that the ADL would be screaming anti-semitism. Frankly after this, the ADL's credibility is shot.

Listen Abe, you are doing the same to decent Muslims as racists do to Jews. Following your logic makes all Jews terrorists. Salaam/Shalom

http://www.deciminyan.org/2010/07/if-not-adl-then-who.html

Were the muslim victims of the attack somehow lesser vicitims because the attackers shared a version of their faith ?.

This guy is nothing but a grievance collector and, it would appear, a bit of a bigot as well. It is time for his type to leave the scene

This is understandably a sensitive issue. But Rabbi Kula is not only right in his statement, but his statement also demonstrates wisdom. When there is such skeptism about the West's intentions towards Muslims and its perceived ignorance, it would be asinine to alienate the Muslims who oppose extremism and who are peaceful.

Now they have become about pro-Moslem racism.

Bruce Lawrence's book "Messages to the World: The Statements of Osama Bin laden" detais this quite well. It is a collection of his public statements. It is clear from Bin Laden's statements (starting in the mid 90's) why he wanted to attack the US. Don't believe me, check out this collection of his public statements.

Foxman and the ADL are all but admitted anti Muslim anything. This does not surprise me. The mosque should be allowed. Those 9/11 bombers do not represent Islam. Plain and simple.

just look around the world to see the love and tolerance shown by muslims to non-muslims ...aka infidels.

These types of statements cause people to question his judgement and credibility. Thus leading to a change in perception of Zionist groups in America. Loss of US support will force Israel to grow up and settle its longstanding issues. Well said Foxman, keep it up!

An agent of intolerance. ADL should get rid of him. Because of him, no one takes ADL seriously anymore.

I think it is very unwise to field such a request, if it ever did happen, in the first place. I don’t think Muslims will take lightly fresh construction of Sinagogue on the site of Boris Goldstein action. Want to trade?