New York, NY, September 17, 2014 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed Vice President Joe Biden’s admission he erred in describing those who take financial advantage of American servicemen and women as “shylocks,” and praised the vice president for “turning a rhetorical gaffe into a teachable moment.”
After a brief phone conversation with Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, Mr. Biden issued a statement making clear that his reference to the stereotypical Jewish character in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” was “a poor choice of words.”
“The Vice President reached out and we spoke today,” Mr. Foxman said. “Clearly there was no ill-intent here, but Joe and I agreed that perhaps he needs to bone up on his Shakespeare.
“There is no truer friend of the Jewish people than Joe Biden. Not only has he been a stalwart against anti-Semitism and bigotry, but he has the courage and forthrightness to admit a mistake and use it as an opportunity to learn and to teach others about the harmful effects of stereotypes. He has turned a rhetorical gaffe into a teachable moment.”