Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO Jonathan Greenblatt condemned Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan’s “hateful” speech at a Chicago church May 9.
Farrakhan said during his speech at the Saint Sabina Catholic Church he aims to “separate the good Jews from the Satanic Jews,” adding that “Jews are divided because of Satan’s intervention. He also said that “having sex with little boys is in the Talmud.”
Greenblatt said in his statement, “It’s typical that even in defending himself against claims of anti-Semitism, Louis Farrakhan has once again invoked more anti-Jewish hatred. His remarks last night were vintage Farrakhan: A litany of tropes about how ‘Satanic Jews’ are corrupting society with immoral acts and that Jewish writings, ‘promote pedophilia.’ These are the hateful notions that have poisoned the Nation of Islam’s worldview for decades, and it is deeply disappointing that he was given a platform in a church to spew his hateful vitriol.”
The American Jewish Committee similarly tweeted, “Houses of worship debase themselves when they offer anti-Semitic, homophobic bigots a platform to spread their message of hate. We thank @archchicago for opposing this ugly event.”
Houses of worship debase themselves when they offer antisemitic, homophobic bigots a platform to spread their message of hate. We thank @archchicago for opposing this ugly event. https://t.co/gaGW3HZJ2y
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) May 9, 2019
Holocaust survivor and Illinois Holocaust Museum President Fritzie Fritzshall told CNN, “The Holocaust started with hatred and prejudice,” adding that because the church provided “a platform for bigotry and anti-Semitism, it increases the threat against all of humanity.”
Facebook announced on May 2 that they are banning Farrakhan from their platform.
