ADL chief withdraws from Jerusalem anti-Semitism conference

Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the Anti-Defamation League, has decided not to attend an upcoming conference in Jerusalem focused on fighting anti-Semitism. He announced his withdrawal on Wednesday, citing concerns about some participants who are far-right politicians. Prominent figures, including French philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy and UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, have also pulled out of the event. Their decision reflects growing unease over the inclusion of politicians with controversial backgrounds in anti-Semitism. The conference is organized by Israel’s diaspora affairs minister, Amichai Chikli. In recent years, Israeli policymakers have started engaging with far-right figures, believing the primary threat to Jews in Europe is now Islamic anti-Semitism. This shift marks a change from previous years, when far-right politicians were largely excluded from such discussions. Attendees slated for the conference include leaders from various far-right parties in Europe, prompting backlash from some Jewish organizations. Ariel Muzicant, president of the European Jewish Congress, criticized this approach, stating it gives legitimacy to extremist parties. Meanwhile, Chikli defended his stance, saying Israel should welcome support from all groups that oppose Islamic extremism. He dismissed the backlash as political correctness. The chair of the Knesset committee on diaspora relations, Gilad Kariv, has called for the invitations to far-right politicians to be rescinded, asserting it undermines efforts to combat anti-Semitism.