Washington - Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin came under fire last week when she beseeched the Cordoba Initiative and the wider Muslim community in the US to "refudiate" its decision to build an Islamic center near the site of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack, known as "Ground Zero." Palin was skewered by liberals for her bigotted request - and by my many more for making up the word refudiate.

Taken out the south-east corner of Ground Zero in New York City [Luigi Rosa - Flickr]

This week the Anti-Defamation League made a strikingly similar request, albeit entirely with words found in the standard English lexicon:

We regard freedom of religion as a cornerstone of the American democracy, and that freedom must include the right of all Americans – Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths – to build community centers and houses of worship.
    
We categorically reject appeals to bigotry on the basis of religion, and condemn those whose opposition to this proposed Islamic Center is a manifestation of such bigotry.

However, there are understandably strong passions and keen sensitivities surrounding the World Trade Center site. We are ever mindful of the tragedy which befell our nation there, the pain we all still feel – and especially the anguish of the families and friends of those who were killed on September 11, 2001. 

The controversy which has emerged regarding the building of an Islamic Center at this location is counterproductive to the healing process.  Therefore, under these unique circumstances, we believe the City of New York would be better served if an alternative location could be found.
    
In recommending that a different location be found for the Islamic Center, we are mindful that some legitimate questions have been raised about who is providing the funding to build it, and what connections, if any, its leaders might have with groups whose ideologies stand in contradiction to our shared values.  These questions deserve a response, and we hope those backing the project will be transparent and forthcoming.  But regardless of how they respond, the issue at stake is a broader one.

Proponents of the Islamic Center may have every right to build at this site, and may even have chosen the site to send a positive message about Islam.  The bigotry some have expressed in attacking them is unfair, and wrong.  But ultimately this is not a question of rights, but a question of what is right.  In our judgment, building an Islamic Center in the shadow of the World Trade Center will cause some victims more pain – unnecessarily – and that is not right.

The press release has since received considerable admonishment from the Jews and Jewish groups it claims to defend.

Jewish blog Jewlicious asked, "Is the ADL on crack?"

The opinion's author noted: "The ADL, which has fought bigotry and worked for diversity in America and internationally, weighed in this week on the planed construction of a mosque and Islamic community center near (how near is near?) the former World Trade Center site in downtown Manhattan. Their press release starts out fine, saying" it respects the rights of all Americans, of all faiths, "and WHAM … the ADL continues, because of pain and the healing process, and unique circumstances, they 'believe the City of New York would be better served if an alternative location could be found'."

"So, perceived pain trumps equal rights?" the Jewlicious entry asks. "I really will have to remember that the next time a group tries to build a Jewish institution in an area that is still healing, or if “white interlopers” (a Rev. Al Sharpton term) attempt to open a story in a currently predominantly non-white area.

"What happened to all those words about not being at war with 'Islam'?"

Jewish magazine Tablet's Marc Tracy commented of the organization's position: "Founded in 1913, the ADL, in its words, 'fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all.' Except when it does the precise opposite."

Reporter/blogger Adam Serwer took his analysis a step further:  "It is inconceivable that the ADL would argue such a position if the building in question happened to be a synagogue, and the builders happened to be Jews.

"Let's be clear. This is not about the proposed Islamic Center. There is already a masjid in the neighborhood, and it's been there for decades. This is about giving political cover to right-wing politicians using anti-Muslim bigotry as a political weapon and a fundraising tool. By doing this, the ADL is increasingly eroding its already weakened credibility as a nonpartisan organization.

"I learned a very important lesson in Hebrew School that I have retained my entire life. If they can deny freedom to a single individual because of who they are, they can do it to anyone."

Serwer ended simply: "Someone at the ADL needs to go back to Hebrew School."

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