I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for the Council on American Islamic Relations, and particularly the Chicago branch of that organization, which promotes civil rights for all people. Over the weekend Hussam Ayloush, Director of CAIR – Greater Los Angeles, published a statement on Twitter that calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. The death of respectful discourse in this country is, as always, distressing. This kind of language does not advance CAIR’simportant message, or forward its important work.
The Decalogue Society of Lawyers, America’s oldest Jewish bar association, has always striven to build bridges, not tear them down. We look forward to continuing that important work, particularly given how clear the common ground is between our organization, and one, such as CAIR, that is dedicated to the advancement of human rights at home and around the world. I am therefore personally disappointed in the unhelpful and, frankly, unhealthy rhetoric out of Mr. Ayloush. As president of the Decalogue Society of Lawyers, I call upon him, and upon CAIR, to disavow such rhetoric.