We just got proof: our collective power stopped the ADL’s police exchange program for three years and caused a massive internal crisis.A leaked ADL memo shows us that our collective organizing is working: in June 2020, at the height of Black-led uprising against police violence, staff at the ADL wrote a memo recommending an end to their police exchange programs. In it, they admit their trips militarize the police, and detail the years of our campaigning that have made the program incredibly costly and controversial to them.This is a huge victory, built by decades of Black and Palestinian movement building, and brought home through the sustained pressure of a targeted, unrelenting grassroots campaign rooted in local communities and coalitions. However, the ADL is now doubling down on their deep relationship with police and even talking about expanding these programs.
First of all, the leaked memo is a draft. It is not at all clear it was ever sent out or acted upon.
Part of what they say is true: the ADL memo reveals that it had to spend a lot of money defending the program of cooperating with Israeli law enforcement from the haters.
But in no way does the memo say that the trips "militarizes the police."
It said that the ADL needed to ask the question of whether the programs somehow contribute to US police violence, it emphasizes that it is highly unlikely:
ADL has been taking law enforcement officers to Israel for educational and training purposes since 2004. We have involved 500-600 law enforcement officers and partners. These trips have built bonds, created trust, and helped to deepen ADL relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and leaders. These investments have generated value for regional offices because the stronger relationships have helped ADL with the investigation of hate crimes and protecting local communities.During these trips, officers meet with Israel National Police (INP), academics, journalists and other Israeli officials to learn about how the INP fights crime and terrorism. They have never participated in tactical training exercises with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) or the INP. They did not learn how to apprehend or restrain individuals, nor to conduct interrogations or apply any related practices.On the other hand, the trips axe costly, are of questionable programmatic value, and are incredibly controversial. Each trip costs approximately [$115,000] directly due to travel and related costs, and upward of $200,000 per year in the staff time it takes to support the trips and defend the trips from controversy. These costs can potentially skyrocket if additional indirect costs are taken into consideration, such as the lost donor revenue and the increase in staff time and other resources it requires to defend ADL advocacy positions while hosting such a controversial program. Further, the impact is unclear. The law enforcement officers tell us that they enjoyed their trip and that they helped "bond," but it is not clear that those officers change policies to reduce antisemitism upon their return, or that they increase activities to counter white supremacy. We have not performed an impact evaluation for the program, nor is it clear what would be measured by one. During challenging budget times, it is difficult to defend a program that is so expensive with such an unclear return on investment.
Here's the part they are distorting:
...in light of the very real police brutality at the hands of militarized police forces in the U.S., we must ask ourselves difficult questions, like whether we are contributing to the problem. ....We must ask ourselves if, upon returning home, those we train are more likely to use force. We hope that that is not accurate, and certainly JVP distorts the truth, but it is a time in American history to ask ourselves these hard questions.
The ADL is saying that the questions must be asked - but it has no indication that the answer is "yes." And in the end, it has said that it will continue to work with law enforcement, nearly two years after this memo was drafted.
The memo is simply discusses whether there is a return on investment for the program, and whether the increased relationships with US law enforcement helps the protection of Jews in the US.
The main point of the memo is that these programs are expensive, with or without the criticism, and there is no way to measure whether that funding is worth it. It is what any mature organization would do. I'm sure that there are JVP memos about which of their efforts seem successful and which ones bomb, prompting them to change tactics.
