January 14, 2022

THE WEEK’S BIG 3

Nearly six months after being nominated by President Biden to serve as the State Department’s antisemitism envoy, Deborah Lipstadt, renowned Holocaust scholar, has yet to be confirmed due to efforts by some in the Senate who have complained that she criticized some of them on Twitter. An Indiana state legislator who last week said teachers should be “impartial” when teaching about Nazism and fascism is now backtracking from his comments after outrage from Jewish groups. Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, on Wednesday compared Covid vaccination mandates to the Holocaust, a statement that was met with swift backlash from ADL and others.

Read on for more on these headlines, news you can use to fight hate and the latest info about ADL from around the country.

Deborah Lipstadt’s Nomination to Serve as Antisemitism Envoy Stalled by Senate
“The decision [to nominate Lipstadt] drew praise from more than 20 liberal and conservative Jewish groups, all of whom were impressed with Dr. Lipstadt’s sterling credentials and her reputation for standing up to antisemitism wherever she saw it, whether it was neo-Nazi marches in Charlottesville, Va., or a liberal icon in Congress.” The New York Times: LEARN MORE

+ Tell your Senators: Confirm Professor Deborah Lipstadt to serve as the US Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism

+ MORE: Deborah Lipstadt may be asked to apologize to Republican senator before confirmation as antisemitism envoy – JTA
Indiana Lawmaker Backtracks After Saying Teachers Should Be 'Impartial' When Teaching About Nazism, Fascism

“State Sen. Scott Baldwin (R), during a state Senate committee hearing on Wednesday regarding a proposed bill that would prohibit ‘divisive concepts’ in schools, said educators have gone ‘too far’ when taking a position on Marxism, Nazism and fascism, arguing that they ‘need to be impartial.’” The Hill: FULL STORY
+ ADL Midwest Tweet: Indiana Sen. Scott Baldwin's apology doesn't change the deep harms of using "impartiality" or "neutrality" as tools to sanitize history.
+ ADL Resource: Extremists and Contentious Language at School Board Meetings – What You Can Do
Another GOP Rep Compares Vaccine Mandates to the Holocaust

“Rep. Davidson (R-OH) made the comparison by retweeting a post from Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser about a new vaccination policy and sharing the photo of a health pass that people were required to carry under the Nazi regime.” NBC News: READ MORE
+ ADL tweet: It's never appropriate to compare requirements for public health with the tactics of Nazi Germany. As we've said too many times to count, minimizing the Holocaust in this way is deeply offensive and harmful.
+ WATCH: ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt on MSNBC’s Way Too Early

KEY ADL SOCIAL STATEMENTS

In May 2021, the Iron Dome intercepted 90% of rockets fired by Hamas from Gaza, saving both Israeli and Palestinian lives. We joined a broad coalition of organizations urging the U.S. Senate to provide critical funding for this defense system ASAP…

Former tech-exec David Bateman appears to have learned nothing since being forced to resign from Entrata for sharing antisemitic conspiracy theories. Here he goes again posting an anti-Jewish screed via @Instagram. The platform should remove this hatred ASAP…

The #AbrahamAccords, recent historic agreements between Israel and four courageous Arab states are important for Middle East security. We look forward to working with this bipartisan caucus to support the normalization of these relationships…

IN THE COMMUNITY

Washington neo-Nazi leader convicted in intimidation plot sentenced to 7 years in prison (NBC Seattle)

‘An act of pure evil’: NY leaders hold 2-year memorial for deadly antisemitic attack (The Times of Israel)

76 Floridians, including 8 locals, charged in Capitol Riot (CBS Jacksonville – Jessica Reaves interviewed)

ADL IN THE NEWS

Biden's Justice Department is creating a new domestic terrorism unit. But experts are skeptical about whether it'll make Americans safer. (Insider)
Top pro-Israel, Jewish Groups Press U.S. Senate on Stalled $1b Iron Dome Vote (Haaretz)

Anti-Defamation League CEO Talks New Book About Growth of Hate, Systemic Violence in U.S. (MSNBC's Yasmin Vossoughian Reports – Jonathan Greenblatt interviewed)

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Deborah Lipstadt’s Nomination Stalled by Senate; Lawmaker Says Teachers Should Be 'Impartial' When Teaching About Nazism; GOP Rep. Compares Vaccine Mandates to the Holocaust