During a recent segment on Newsmax TV’s “The Record,” Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, expressed concerns about the rise of antisemitism and its normalization within certain segments of American politics. In his conversation with guest host Tom Basile, Greenblatt attributed this troubling trend to a broader acceptance of anti-Zionism and extremist behaviors within parts of the Democratic Party, suggesting a deeper ideological shift that challenges core American values.
Greenblatt emphasized the severity of the issue, stating, “If you harass and intimidate and terrorize people because of where they’re from or how they pray, you’re not an activist. You’re a bigot. You’re not some kind of advocate, right? You are an extremist.” He criticized the way certain ideologies have infiltrated political and educational systems, implying that these spaces have strayed from their foundational principles. “And for some reason, Tom, we’ve allowed this anti-Zionism, this kind of intolerance to seep into the system, the Democratic Party, and the left,” he noted, acknowledging his background as a former staffer for President Obama but asserting his commitment to identifying and condemning hate.
Basile added to the discussion by linking the rise in antisemitic sentiments to a prevalent Marxist influence within the Democratic Party, which he argued is fundamentally atheist and thus inherently anti-Jewish and anti-faith. “Yeah, and look, I happen to think that this is tied to a very strong Marxist strain that is running through the Democratic Party. And Marxism and socialism are atheist by nature, so it is anti-Jewish. It’s not just anti-Israel, and it’s also anti-faith, generally there,” Basile explained.
Greenblatt concurred, emphasizing the contradiction between these ideologies and American principles: “Absolutely, It’s anti-American, Tom.”
This dialogue highlights significant concerns about the intersection of political ideology and religious tolerance, pointing to a need for vigilance and dialogue to address and curb the spread of intolerance within influential sectors of society.