Abe Foxman, advocate for American Jews as longtime head of Anti-Defamation League, dies at 86
CNN • • general
Key Points:
- Abraham H. Foxman, former national director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for nearly 28 years, died at age 86, the ADL announced without disclosing details of his death.
- Foxman was a prominent advocate against antisemitism, counseling world leaders and confronting public figures over antisemitic remarks while accepting apologies to promote reconciliation.
- Born in 1940 to Polish Jews and a Holocaust survivor, Foxman dedicated his 50-year career to fighting hate, becoming ADL's national director in 1987 and retiring in 2015.
- Under Foxman's leadership, the ADL expanded its focus to combat various forms of extremism, advocate for immigrant and LGBTQ rights, and provide educational programs on civil rights and bullying.
- Foxman acknowledged criticisms of being both too harsh and too forgiving in his approach but emphasized the importance of accepting apologies to enable change and prevent bigotry.
