Pro-"Israel" organization faces backlash for excusing Musk’s Nazi salute

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an organization founded to combat anti-Semitism and promote the Israeli Occupation, has come under fire for its perceived hypocrisy following remarks regarding Elon Musk's behavior.

Read more: Elon Musk performs Nazi salute at Trump's inauguration

The controversy began when Musk was recorded at Donald Trump's presidential inauguration performing the Nazi salute, prompting widespread outrage and calls for accountability.

The ADL's reaction to the incident represented a troubling double standard when the organization came to Musk's defense.

The ADL stated on X that Musk had made an “awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute.”

“In this moment, all sides should give one another a bit of grace, perhaps even the benefit of the doubt, and take a breath,” the ADL continued.

This is a delicate moment. It’s a new day and yet so many are on edge. Our politics are inflamed, and social media only adds to the anxiety.

It seems that @elonmusk made an awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm, not a Nazi salute, but again, we appreciate that people are on…

— ADL (@ADL) January 20, 2025

While the organization has consistently condemned acts of antisemitism and hatred, it appears willing to overlook or downplay similar behaviors from high-profile individuals like Musk, who has a substantial following and influence. 

The organization has consistently and aggressively targeted individuals and groups advocating for Palestinian rights and human rights for Palestinians. Activists assert that the ADL often equates support for Palestine with anti-Semitism, yet appears willing to overlook or downplay fascist, Nazi-like behaviors from high-profile individuals like Musk.

This stance was criticized by US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who accused the ADL of hypocrisy and defending unacceptable behavior.

Just to be clear, you are defending a Heil Hitler salute that was performed and repeated for emphasis and clarity.

People can officially stop listening to you as any sort of reputable source of information now. You work for them. Thank you for making that crystal clear to all. https://t.co/0gLdMCU3UV

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 21, 2025

Additionally, many online users who have been victims to ADL's attacks spoke out against the hypocrisy.

One user wrote, "I was called an antisemite self-hating Jew for saying someone likes sabra hummus and Elon went full Reichy and got an 'awkward gesture'."

I was called an antisemite self hating Jew for saying someone likes sabra hummus and Elon went full Reichy and got an “awkward gesture” pic.twitter.com/cHz3HWXcBT

— Raffoulticket (@Raffoulticket) January 21, 2025

Others called out ADL's CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, for hypocrisy as well.

Earlier in 2024, Greenblatt compared the keffiyeh, a traditional headdress in the Middle East and usually associated with Arab resistance and identity, to the Nazi swastika. However, when Musk presented a Nazi salute, the organization seemed to soften its stance.

Lost amid the justifiable outrage provoked by NBC/MSNBC hiring Ronna McDaniel is that MS's flagship Morning Joe has been cheerleading Israel's genocidal military campaign from the start.

This morning, the ADL's Greenblatt compared a keffiyeh to a swastika (via @noah_dowe) pic.twitter.com/Bba73LY0Y7

— johnknefel (@johnknefel) March 29, 2024

ADL: A Palestinian Keffiyeh is the same as a Nazi swastika

Also the ADL: A Nazi salute is an awkward gesture pic.twitter.com/xaz9XkZTQg

— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) January 21, 2025

Here are other responses online:

Y’all are so completely full of shit on this, and I’m embarrassed for you. Truly.

— Charlotte Clymer  (@cmclymer) January 21, 2025

This is PATHETIC. Shame on you.

— Kim Masters (@kimmasters) January 21, 2025

Have you lost your mind? Or are you afraid of losing your money?

— Gaylen Ross (@gaylenrs) January 21, 2025

Every historian and expert on fascism: “It was a Nazi salute.”

The organization responsible for protecting us from Nazis: https://t.co/wEppk4DDd5

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) January 21, 2025

As a Jewish person, I find myself disgusted by the willful and intentionally ignorant embrace of Musk by the @ADL. The Musk salute was clear and for the ADL to go soft and weak today is something that I just can't believe. https://t.co/45pGgvw4PE

— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) January 21, 2025

We could be in gas chambers and as long as they were built by Elon Musk the ADL would tell us to “take a breath” pic.twitter.com/0TXW6FBjYf

— gianmarco (@GianmarcoSoresi) January 20, 2025

“it wasn’t a nazi salute” well the nazis think it was https://t.co/ijnwqYaydx pic.twitter.com/1GkJz3kqZz

— matt (@mattxiv) January 21, 2025

College student says Free Palestine.

“ANTI-SEMITE!”

Elon does a Nazi salute on live television.

“Now, hold on. Let’s not get too hasty.” https://t.co/NqCdNdaSaP pic.twitter.com/KRbzpNaxRL

— Ben T. Hopson  (@BHOPDaMaestro) January 21, 2025

If Rashida Tlaib criticizes Israel, she’s an antisemite per the ADL.

If Elon Musk, a man with a history of antisemitic remarks, does what looks to everyone like a fascist salute, the ADL give him the benefit of the doubt and call it only an ‘awkward gesture.’ https://t.co/PAY3w3zWRx

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) January 20, 2025

This is the ADL in a nutshell: https://t.co/tUl6dHQb7f pic.twitter.com/zcFTjiQYEH

— 679 Enthusiast (@marionumber4) January 20, 2025