American Jonathan Greenblatt Calls Israeli Anthem “Our National Anthem”

Quick Overview

Jonathan Greenblatt of the ADL claims that "our national anthem" refers to Israel's anthem, "Hatikvah," and that he would "never" support a politician who does not support Israel, despite his organization's supposed non-partisan stance.

Key Points: Jonathan Greenblatt stated that Israel's national anthem, "Hatikvah," is "our national anthem," implying a personal allegiance that conflicts with the ADL's claimed non-partisanship. Greenblatt declared he would not support any candidate who does not support Israel, specifically mentioning opposition to BDS. The speaker questions the ADL's non-partisan claim given Greenblatt's explicit pro-Israel political stance and previous involvement in political campaigns. The ADL is described as monitoring extremist groups and advocating for hate crime legislation. A past controversy involving the ADL and legal reforms is alluded to, questioning the organization's "intelligence front" operations. The video contrasts Greenblatt's views with the idea that a country's existence should not be questioned, likening it to asking if Palestine should exist. Greenblatt's personal background, including roles as a former Obama administration official, DJ, and state assembly member, is briefly mentioned.

Context: The video features Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), discussing his views on politics, Israel, and the ADL's role. The context is set by a conversation where Greenblatt makes a controversial statement about Israel's national anthem and his political allegiances, which is then analyzed by the interviewer and a guest.

Detailed Analysis

The video features Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), discussing his organization's role and his personal political views. Greenblatt asserts that the ADL does not engage in partisan politics, yet he states that he "have questions for every candidate" and would not support any candidate who doesn't support Israel. He specifically mentions that he would not support someone who supports BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) or is critical of Israel. This stance is presented as being in line with the ADL's mission to combat antisemitism and other forms of bigotry, but the speaker in the video questions the non-partisan nature of this approach, especially given Greenblatt's previous political roles. The video also touches upon the ADL's work in monitoring extremist groups and advocating for hate crime legislation. The speaker highlights a past controversy where the ADL was involved in a lawsuit and subsequent reforms, but it was not proven that the ADL was operating on an "intelligence front." The core of the discussion revolves around the ADL's perceived influence on US policy regarding Israel and the potential conflict of interest or bias this presents. The speaker questions whether the ADL's actions are truly for the benefit of all or primarily for the benefit of Israel and its supporters, suggesting that the ADL's focus on specific political outcomes might alienate segments of the Jewish community.