Washington, DC – After Elon Musk made what appeared to be a Nazi salute at an inauguration rally for United States President Donald Trump, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) rushed to defend the SpaceX founder.
The ADL, a self-described anti-Semitism watchdog and “leading anti-hate organization in the world,” dismissed Musk’s raised arm as “an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm” in a social media post on Monday.
However, months earlier, Jonathan Greenblatt, the head of the staunchly pro-Israel ADL, compared the Palestinian keffiyeh to the Nazi swastika.
Activists point out that the ADL’s quick defense of Musk and its efforts to demonize Palestinians and their supporters highlight the group’s focus on silencing voices critical of Israel rather than combating anti-Semitism.
“The ADL is making it clear where its priorities lie,” said Beth Miller, political director at Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). “They have shown that they are not a reliable source of information on anti-Semitism and are not actually prioritizing the protection of Jewish communities.”
Miller labeled the ADL as a “hateful group” dedicated to smearing advocates for Palestinian rights.
For years, the ADL has been a trusted NGO for government agencies and corporations on issues related to anti-Semitism, hate crimes, and civil rights.
The group has hosted prominent Israeli and US politicians, FBI directors, celebrities, and businesspeople.
The ADL’s annual “audit” of anti-Semitic incidents in the US, which last year included expressions of opposition to Zionism and support for resistance against Israel, is often cited by government agencies and legislation.
Despite this, Palestinian rights supporters and US-based Muslim groups have long raised concerns about the ADL and its unwavering support for Israel.
In recent years, the group has faced increased criticism for appearing lenient towards right-wing figures accused of bigotry as long as they support Israel. These criticisms intensified after Musk’s gesture at the rally.
Progressive Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez responded to the ADL’s defense of Musk by stating, “Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity. People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now.”
Musk’s gesture
While speaking at the Capital One Arena after Trump’s inauguration, Musk placed his hand on his chest and then quickly raised his arm while thanking the crowd for electing the Republican president.
The 53-year-old billionaire then repeated the gesture.
His action resembled the Nazi salute known as the “Sieg Heil”, which means “hail victory” in German and has roots in an ancient Roman salute.
“My heart goes out to you. It is thanks to you that the future of civilization is assured,” Musk said.
While politicians often extend their arms to greet an audience, Musk’s rhetoric about “civilization” combined with the repeated gesture drew criticism.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University specializing in fascism and authoritarianism, described Musk’s gesture as “a Nazi salute – and a very belligerent one at that” in a social media post.
Musk has not provided a detailed explanation for the gesture but dismissed the accusations, stating that his critics “need better dirty tricks.” He later criticized legacy media as “pure propaganda.”
However, Matan Arad-Neeman, a spokesperson for IfNotNow, a Jewish progressive group, rejected Musk’s denial of the salute.
“I’m descended from Holocaust survivors, and I know a Nazi salute when I see one, and that was absolutely what Elon Musk was doing,” Arad-Neeman told Al Jazeera.
He criticized the ADL’s defense of Musk as “obscene” and highlighted the group’s focus on cracking down on protesters for Palestinian rights and anti-war activists.
ADL-Musk feud
Less than a year and a half ago, Musk threatened to sue the pro-Israel ADL over allegations that it was preventing companies from advertising on X after he acquired the platform.
Despite Musk’s attacks being described by the ADL as “dangerous and deeply irresponsible,” the group welcomed the platform’s efforts to address anti-Semitism.
In October 2023, Greenblatt praised Musk as an “amazing entrepreneur and extraordinary innovator” and compared him to the industrialist Henry Ford, who is known for his anti-Semitic views.
Even after apparent reconciliation between Musk and the ADL, Musk responded to a post accusing Jewish communities of promoting “dialectical hatred” against white people by stating, “You have said the actual truth.”
Musk’s visit to Israel during the country’s war on Gaza further heightened criticism.
Abed Ayoub, the executive director at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), expressed his wish for the ADL to extend the same benefit of the doubt it offered Musk to members of Arab and Muslim communities.
He highlighted the ADL’s history of censoring Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim voices and its previous support for anti-Muslim and Islamophobic groups.
Ayoub pointed out the ADL’s shift in positions and growing criticism of the group for defending Musk’s gesture.
On Tuesday, Bend the Arc, a progressive Jewish group, initiated a petition urging the ADL to retract its defense of Musk, questioning the organization’s commitment to fighting anti-Semitism.
