Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Director of Interfaith Affairs David Sandmel spoke to Arutz Sheva about anti-Semitism in the United States and the Christian world.
"We've seen a lot of progress, especially since the end of the Second World War, in the Christian world, in terms of self-examination, looking at the roots of Christian anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism, and a lot of serious soul-searching on where that comes from, and how to confront that and how to change that sort of narrative within the Christian world, even within Christian theology," Sandmel said.
However, Sandmel warned that anti-Semitism is not completely eradicated, and there are still echoes of traditional anti-Judaism rhetoric.
"In some of the more progressive Protestant churches, their activism is being expressed in theological terms that often echo some of the classic Christian anti-Judaism, and that's very worrisome for us," he explained.
He noted that there are "some in the Evangelical community who are extremely supportive of Israel, but not necessarily so supportive of the idea of Judaism. They affirm our national aspirations but they don't affirm our religious validity. And then you have others who are willing to affirm our religious validity but reject our national aspirations."
Regarding whether or not anything could be done about the anti-Judaism rhetoric, Sandmel said simply, "In the United States it's very difficult in terms of law."
"I think it's important to point out that the majority of mainline Protestants in the United States are generally favorable to Israel, favorable to the Jewish community," he clarified. "But what you find in these churches is a small group of activists who are able to work...the inner politics of the different denominations to bring their resolutions before the General Assembly, to get them approved, even if they don't represent the feelings of the majority of the people."
"We need to work with those in those churches who are our friends, who are concerned about the false use of theology and Biblical passages and especially the use of anti-Jewish rhetoric, and hope that they can also have an effect on their own churches."