Some Awsome Exchange!

One of the writers for the Times Magazine sticks it to the ADL...

Klein fights ADL over anti-Semitism claim

A few days back, Joe Klein used the term "Jewish neoconservative" to describe Joe Lieberman and mentioned that his Middle East policies could raise the question of "divided loyalties."

Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League chided Klein, writing, "The notion that Jews with 'divided loyalties' were behind the decision to go to war is reminiscent of age-old anti-Semitic canards about a Jewish conspiracy to control and manipulate government."

Klein was not happy. He responded:

I am disappointed, but not surprised, by your claim of anti-Semitism. But that's what you do for a living, isn't it? I find your "outrage" particularly galling because the people you defend are constantly spewing canards against those who favor talking to the Palestinians, or who don't favor witless bellicosity when it comes to Iran.

Foxman responded that neoconservatives "have the right to make their case without having their religion brought up" and didn't like the characterization of his job:

Contrary to your assertion, ADL is extremely careful in making accusations about anti-Semitism, and we spend every day in our work all over the country assessing the validity — or lack thereof — of such accusations. The notion you posited that ADL is looking to find anti-Semites everywhere in no way reflects the reality.