ADL Shocked At Newseum Decision To Honor Members Of Terrorist Organization Hamas

NEW YORK, May 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed shock and outrage at the decision by the Newseum to proceed with honoring two members of the Hamas terrorist propaganda television operation Al-Aqsa TV as part of its ongoing memorial to journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2012.

Despite vocal public criticism of the decision last week, Newseum officials have said they will go ahead with including the terrorist operatives in its annual ceremony honoring fallen journalists.

ADL said the inclusion of Hussam Salama and Mahmoud Al-Kumi in the Newseum Journalists Memorial was "a dark day for an American institution devoted to free speech and the First Amendment."  Salama and Al-Kumi were members of Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State.

"It is a dark day when members of a terrorist organization advancing their agenda through murderous violence are honored as part of a tribute to journalists killed in the line of duty," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "This decision flies in the face of the founding mission of Newseum to 'educate the public about the value of a free press in a free society.'  Salama and Al-Kumi were terrorist operatives working for a network that routinely promotes anti-Semitism and incitement to violence.  These men were working for a propaganda outlet, not a legitimate news organization."

ADL urged the Newseum to reconsider the decision and remove the names of Al-Kumi and Salama from the roster of the Journalists Memorial before they are officially added to the permanent memorial scheduled to be unveiled on Monday.

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.

SOURCE Anti-Defamation League

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AJC: What's the Newseum Thinking?

NEW YORK, May 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC called the Newseum's decision to honor two employees of Hamas a shocking assault on the memory of journalists who have died in conflict situations.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO )

The non-profit museum in Washington, D.C., will commemorate Hussam Salama and Mahmoud al-Kumi, two cameramen who worked for Al-Aqsa TV in Hamas-ruled Gaza, at a Monday ceremony.

They, together with 82 genuine journalists, will be added to the museum's permanent memorial.

"The Newseum board of directors should be ashamed of themselves for saluting two individuals who were integral to the propaganda machine of the Hamas terrorist organization," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "We are astonished that the Newseum did not reconsider its stance after initial concerns were raised. What are they thinking, seeking to conflate authentic journalists and operatives for a murderous group banned by the U.S. and European Union?"

The U.S. government has designated both Hamas and its Al-Aqsa television station terrorist organizations. Al-Aqsa regularly disseminates vile hatred of Israel and unadulterated anti-Semitism, glorifies terrorism, and promotes "martyrdom."

"If Newseum is true to its mission of 'educating the public about the value of a free press in a free society,' then it should acknowledge there is an awful lot of work to be done in Hamas-ruled Gaza before Al-Aqsa can be considered a legitimate media operation," Harris added. "Meanwhile, if Newseum opts to go forward with honoring Salama and al-Kumi, it will bring shame on itself for a shocking inability -- or unwillingness -- to distinguish between heroic journalists and brazen terrorists."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

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