ADL Urges Senate to Oppose Confirmation of Jay Patrick Murray as U.N. Diplomat Based on his Record of Anti-Muslim Hate

New York, NY, December 20, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has urged members of the U.S. Senate to oppose the confirmation of Jay Patrick Murray for a diplomatic position at the United Nations, citing his intolerant positions and enthusiastic support for bigotry on social media.

Murray, who is reported to have posted numerous messages on his Facebook account voicing praise for Milo Yiannopoulos, a misogynistic, racist, xenophobic, transphobic provocateur, is being considered for Alternate U.S. Representative to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs and to serve as an Alternate U.S. Representative to sessions of the UN General Assembly.

“Whatever the U.N.’s flaws, the men and women that represent the interests of the United States at the General Assembly or other U.N. bodies must be individuals of highest credentials and character,” said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “In our opinion Mr. Murray’s extreme views and reckless rhetoric in his published articles as well as his social media posts raise serious concerns as to his judgment and disqualify him for such a leadership role.”

In a letter to members of the United States Senate, ADL cited Murray’s history of promoting Islamophobia and of showing a “rigid intolerance toward those with him he disagrees, a problematic trait for a potential U.S. diplomat at the United Nations.”

After the March 2016 terrorist attacks at the Brussels airport and metro, Murray demonized the city’s entire Muslim community, asserting in a published column that “At worst they’re planning to kill their infidel neighbors, at best they protect and harbor those who are doing the killing.” He has also characterized Muslim refugee migration to Europe as “an invasion.” In numerous messages on Facebook, Murray reportedly praised Yiannopoulos, including sharing material with virulently anti-Muslim rhetoric.