NEA Considers Cutting Ties with Anti-Defamation League Amidst Contentious Debate
The National Education Association, representing three million educators, is weighing a proposal to sever its relationship with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a leading civil rights organization dedicated to fighting antisemitism. The move, preliminarily adopted by union delegates, has sparked immediate and strong reactions from both organizations.
The proposal, formally designated New Business Item 39, was initially approved at the NEA’s 2025 Representative Assembly in Portland, Oregon, on July 5. Delegates voted to recommend that the NEA cease utilizing, endorsing, or disseminating materials from the ADL, and to refrain from participating in ADL-led programs.
Narrow Vote Signals Internal Division
The vote, involving over 6,000 NEA members, was described as narrow, indicating a significant internal debate within the union. While the proposal passed at the assembly, it is not yet official. An NEA spokesperson confirmed that the recommendation has been forwarded to the NEA Executive Committee for further review.
The Executive Committee will subsequently submit its recommendation to the NEA’s Board of Directors. Currently, no date has been set for a board meeting to discuss the matter, according to the NEA.
ADL Responds with “Profoundly Disturbing” Criticism
The ADL swiftly condemned the NEA’s endorsement of the proposal, characterizing it as “profoundly disturbing.” In a statement released Wednesday, an ADL spokesperson asserted, “We will not be cowed for supporting Israel, and we will not be deterred from our work reaching millions of students with educational programs every year.” The ADL acknowledged the ongoing internal process within the NEA, stating it is “far from a completed process.”
For years, the ADL has been a key provider of educational resources on antisemitism and the Holocaust to schools across the United States.
NEA Reaffirms Commitment to Combating All Forms of Hate
Despite the proposal, the NEA emphasized its unwavering commitment to combating all forms of hate and discrimination. An NEA spokesperson stated Wednesday, “As educators, we are committed to ensuring students of every race, religion or national origin have safe and welcoming spaces to learn and grow.”
The NEA further clarified its position, stating, “The National Education Association and its members are unequivocally committed to the cause of educating, organizing against and combating all forms of hate and discrimination, including antisemitism and anti-Palestinian bigotry. This is a fundamental principle we will never walk away from.”
The future of the NEA’s relationship with the ADL remains uncertain as the proposal moves through the union’s internal review process.
