September 21, 2012: JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads

12:07 PM Sep 24, 2012

JCPA Condemns Bigoted, Divisive, and Unhelpful Anti-Muslim Ads

Anti-Muslim ads set to appear in New York City subway stations next week are bigoted, divisive, and unhelpful, said the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. The ads, which say “In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man,” use Stars of David to imply the idea that civilized people support Israel and all of Islam is savage.

“The message of these ads may be protected speech, but that does not make it good speech,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow. “The fact that ads have been placed in the subway attacking Israel does not excuse the use of attack ads against Muslims. Effective discourse is never served by one statement of incivility being answered by another.  The remedy for bad speech is good speech, not more bad speech.”

“Support for Israel should not be juxtaposed with the denigration of any group,” added JCPA Chair Larry Gold.  “In fact, the way to ensure a secure future for Israel is to promote peace, reconciliation, and coexistence. We should build bridges, not burn them.”

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