Opposition mounting for DNC candidate accused of 'anti-Semitism'

Groups including the Anti-Defamation Act have accused Keith Ellison, the first Muslim ever to be elected to congress, of perpetuating divisive "age-old stereotypes" of Jewish people.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

02 December, 2016

Ellison is the first ever Muslim to be elected to Congress [Getty]

Opposition to the bid of Keith Ellison to become chair of the Democratic National Committee (DMC) appears to be rising with critics of the Minnesota Rep. circulating videos, statements, and articles that they allege express anti-Semitic sentiments.

On Thursday the Anti-Defamation League said that comments made by Ellison, a former member of the Nation of Islam, regarding the state of Israel were “disturbing and disqualifying” in a statement.

In particular, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) – an international Jewish non-governmental organisation – took exception to a 2010 speech made by Ellison that has been distributed in the American media this week, stating that it revived “age-old stereotypes” about Jewish people, claiming that it constituted sufficient grounds to disqualify the former Nation of Islam member from the DNC chairmanship.

Speaking at a private fundraiser 2010, Ellison stated: "A region of 350 million all turns on a country of seven million.
Does that make sense? Is that logic? Right? When the Americans who trace their roots back to those 350 million get involved, everything changes.”

According to ADL CEO Jonathan A. Greenblatt Ellison’s remarks “raise the spectre of age-old stereotypes about Jewish control of our government, a poisonous myth that may persist in parts of the world where intolerance thrives, but that has no place in open societies like the US."

ADL, and others, such as the advocacy group J-Street, have also pointed to comments made by Ellison during his membership of the Nation of Islam in the 80s and early 90s as evidence of anti-Semitism.

However, backers of Ellison, including members of the Jewish community, have defended the Minnesota Rep. with a column published in Israeli daily Haaretz containing quotes from two rabbis describing the aspiring DMC chair as “an extraordinary leader”, adding that “anyone who would associate him with any kind of hatred hasn’t met him and certainly hasn’t worked with him.”

In a post on the social media site Medium on Wednesday Ellison defended himself, while disavowing proponents of anti-Semitic views.

"These men organise by sowing hatred and division, including, anti-Semitism, homophobia and a chauvinistic model of manhood. I disavowed them long ago, condemned their views, and apologised," said Ellison, the first Muslim elected to congress.

"I have always lived a politics defined by respecting differences, rejecting all forms of racism and anti-Semitism. A politics based on inclusion, and diverse communities organising together for economic justice for everyone."