5 questions for Abraham Foxman

Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News

Published April 17, 2007 at midnight

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Abraham Foxman says he's living his dream job: For 20 years he's led the Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913 to counter anti-Semitism and secure "fair treatment to all." A survivor of the Holocaust in Poland, he joined the ADL after graduating from law school at New York University.

Today, Foxman, 67, concludes a two-day trip to Denver talking about -Holocaust awareness and anti-Semitism, which he calls "alive and well and growing throughout the world." Tonight, he will address the ADL's 26th annual Governor's Holocaust Remembrance Program.

On Sunday, Foxman talked to the Rocky Mountain News about anti-Semitism and issues ranging from fired radio talk show host Don Imus to Iran. His comments are edited for clarity and space.

1 The message you're bringing to Denver is that when it comes to anti-semitism, this country hasn't learned the lessons of the past. What would satisfy you as finally showing progress?

We need a lot more respect. But I think we're worried that would be boring.

We've reached the moon and conquered time and space and transplanted the human heart. We're capable of great things. But we haven't learned what hate can do. Anti-semitism will never be eradicated unless we develop a vaccine against hate.

What does that mean? The irony is, a majority of Americans are good people and respectful, but there's apathy . . . look at Don Imus. He's been outrageous and offensive the last 30 years. If we can inspire sensitive, good people to say 'no' to the Imuses of this country, it would be a more tolerant and respectful place.

2 Are you advocating censorship and if so, where's the line drawn? Should it include, say, Howard Stern, who's said similarly offensive things on public airwaves?

It isn't that simple. To me, Howard Stern is much closer to a comedian, an entertainer. He's a put-on. Imus is a commentator. He talks about public policy. He has politicans, public figures, on his show. About censorship, we have to be careful we don't overreact. We value the First Amendment. I'm talking about a consensus developing in our society so that good people from all walks of life come together to say, 'This crosses the line.'"

3 How big a threat do you consider Iran president Ahmadinejad, who denies the Holocaust, seeks nuclear weapons and says he wants to eradicate Israel?

In the 1930s, people said, "Hitler talks, so what?" What's frightening now is how slow the world is to react to Ahmadinejad; it makes excuses for him.

We don't have the luxury anymore of ignoring what bigoted dictators say. I think President Bush has tried very hard to isolate Iran, but he doesn't have the world following him. I've talked to the leadership of the Democratic Party, and they are as concerned about Iran as Bush is. Freedom-loving nations should come together to back sanctions - sanctions seriously adhered to - to isolate Ahmadinejad . . . War would be a final option. We shouldn't say we would never go to war - because then (Iran) has nothing to fear.

4 You're concerned about anti-semitism on all these fronts. What's the worst threat?

I'm troubled by something that's cropped up in America that I didn't think I would live to witness: the return of that anti-semitic canard that Jews only care about themselves, they're not loyal citizens. Htler didn't start his war against the Jews talking about Aryan supremacy. He started by talking about Jews not being good Germans.

Today, one out of three Americans believe Jews are more loyal to Israel than the U.S. That's a very sinister belief. And it's coming from people like President Jimmy Carter and professors at Harvard and the University of Chicago. I've talked to Carter, but he says we're too zealous and trying to stifle him. Challenge (such talk) as anti semitic and we get called traitors. So it's OK to call us traitors but I can't say 'that's anti-semitism?''

5 You're traveling, speaking constantly. How do you decompress?

Besides family (wife Golda, two children, three grandchildren), I read escape novels, detective novels. And I like to collect stamps, especially Judaica, Holocaust issues in stamps. I really don't have time to play with (the collection), but I do."

If you go

• What: ADL'S 26th annual Governor's Holocaust Remembrance Program

• When: Boettcher Concert Hall, 5:30 to 7 tonight.

• Of note: Keynote address by Abe Foxman; Gov. Bill Ritter concludes program.

• Tickets: Free, but participants must register by 2:30 p.m. today. Leave name, address and phone number for security purposes.

• To register: Call 303-830-7177 ext. 220 and leave the requested information in a message or email tborus@adl.org

• Will call: Pick up tickets at the door under your name.

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