‘Concern, dismay’ by Wikipedia attack on ADL, 43 Jewish groups tell Wikimedia Foundation

In its attack on the Anti-Defamation League, Wikipedia is “stripping the Jewish community of the right to defend itself from the hatred that targets our community,” 43 Jewish organizations wrote to the Wikimedia Foundation board in a letter on Monday.

“We urge you to immediately launch an investigation into this decision and the motivations behind it, and to start the process for administrative reconsideration,” the groups wrote. “We hope that you will simultaneously speak out clearly and unequivocally in support of the Jewish community’s right to defend against antisemitism.”

Last week, it came to light that Wikipedia declared the ADL an “unreliable source,” which means the Anti-Defamation League cannot be quoted as an authority on matters related to Israel.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, B’nai B’rith International, AIPAC, American Jewish Committee and Jewish Federations of North America were among the signatories, as were groups representing Conservative, Orthodox and Reform Judaism.

“ADL faces Wikipedia ban over reliability concerns on Israel and antisemitism—who made Wikipedia the arbiters of truth?” wrote Abraham Foxman, director emeritus at the ADL. “For over 110 years, the ADL has jealously guarded its credibility—gaining the respect of the public, media and government. Who evaluates Wikipedia’s credibility?”