In a statement today, the Council on American-Islamic Relations asserts:
In 2002, CAIR called on an Arab-American publication to apologize for publishing excerpts from "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion," a 19th century anti-Semitic forgery used to justify the persecution of Jews.
As the author of the article that exposed that publication (see "The Paterson ‘Protocols'"), I remember the incident well. Yes, CAIR did respond to the news of the Protocols being published by the Arab Voice in Paterson, New Jersey, but exceedingly weakly. Ibrahim Hooper spoke twice on the subject:
- United Press International: "Just as we ask others to condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric by right-wing, evangelical or pro-Israel commentators, we must challenge those who would fan the flames of anti-Semitism." Note the different verbs - "condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric" and "challenge those who would fan the flames of anti-Semitism."
- Associated Press did not quote Hooper but paraphrased him: "the newspaper's action is as offensive as anti-Muslim comments made recently by the Rev. Jerry Falwell, other evangelical Christians and critics of Islam."
In fact, CAIR did not call for an apology, much less condemn the publication. This inaccuracy is typical of CAIR's relationship with the truth. (March 17, 2005)
