New York, NY, July 30, 2010 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed New York Rep. Michael E. McMahon's decision to fire a campaign spokesperson who had publicized a so-called "Jewish Money" list of his opponent's campaign contributors.

The campaign staffer distributed a list of more than 80 Jewish donors to McMahon's Republican opponent, Mike Grimm.  The list was entitled, "Grimm Jewish Money Q2" and was shared with journalists and others.

Rep. McMahon has also apologized for the spokesperson's comments about Jews and money, saying that, "These comments were entirely inappropriate and there is no place for this kind of behavior."

Ron Meier, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:

We commend Rep. McMahon for acting swiftly to disassociate his campaign from the actions of a staff member who attempted to aggregate and publicize a list purporting to contain names of Jewish donors to his congressional opponent.

 

The list trades on age-old stereotypes about Jews and money and treats Jews as separate from other constituents. 

 

We appreciate Rep. McMahon's strong condemnation of his former staffer's action and certainly share his view that appeals to religious, racial or ethnic bias have no place in political campaigns and are offensive and unacceptable.

The League expressed profound disappointment when it first heard about the creation of the "Jewish money" list, calling it "offensive, unacceptable and requires an immediate apology."

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ADL neither supports nor opposes candidates for political office.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.