NEW YORK (VINnews) — Frum lobbyist Ezra Friedlander, founder of the Friedlander Group, made headlines this week after tweeting photos of himself speaking with two controversial Islamic congress members, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.
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Now he has spoken out, defending his encounter, and clarifying multiple misconceptions made by critics about his tweet and its true intent.
Friedlander tweeted: “Was invited by a guest of @RepAndreCarson as a plus one to the Muslim Congressional staffer Iftar in the US Capitol where I utilized the opportunity to lay the foundation for future communication w @Ilhan and @RepRashida. As easier as it would be to not engage in conversation, I believe to my core that not communicating is even more risky. Had no idea what to expect when I entered the room but the reception could not have been warmer and hopefully can lead to mutual understanding somewhere down the road even if it’s a remote possibility.”
Believe to my core that not communicating is even more risky. Had no idea what to expect when I entered the room but the reception could not have been warmer and hopefully can lead to mutual understanding somewhere down the road even if it's a remote possibility. RT if u agree!
— Ezra Friedlander (@EzraFriedlander) April 19, 2023
Many criticized Friedlander for communicating with the socialist BDS supporters who have a track record of making vicious antisemitic statements.
Friedlander defended his encounter on the VIN Podcast, and insisted that he would do it again . He also was surprisingly accepting of the criticism and backlash he received.
Friedlander said, “That is the life I chose. I have learned that in the public square people will criticize, no skin off my back.”
In reference to his encounter and subsequent tweet implying that he wants to build a relationship, Ezra defended himself, saying, “I never said I wanted to develop a relationship, I said I laid the foundation for possible communication down the road.”
He added, “If you read my tweet, I did not set out on a mission to establish a relationship with Omar or Tlaib, that was not my intention, it is not my goal. I am a lobbyist who spends a considerable amount of time in Washington. I was invited to meet with Congressman Andre Carson, I was told he was going to be at an Iftar, and the person arranging the meeting asked me if I wanted to join at the Iftar, she brought me as a guest.”
“I asked her who was coming to the event, she said that there would be staffers as well as Muslim congress people, including Tlaib and Omar. I did not wake up and say I’m going to have a relationship with these 2 people. I walked into the room, it was not a big crowd, 50-60 people, they were walking around and I introduced myself.”
He continued, “It wasn’t a meeting, I said to myself and I believe it was the right thing to do, my objective is always to meet people and develop relationships with members of congress as a lobbyist.”
“There was an opportunity that presented itself, I introduced myself, I said there are obviously a lot of areas where I disagree with you, but you do have a powerful voice. I said that for a reason. Words matter.”
Friedlander also noted that he is not an askan or someone who represents a Jewish organization, rather a private businessman. “I’m not responsible for the entire Jewish community, I am my own person representing myself and my clients”
Asked about the squad members’ track record of anti-Jewish comments, he said,“It is obvious they have both made statements that are beyond the pale…it is inexcusable.”
He was asked if he thinks they are antisemites.
“The word antisemite means I hate you because you are a Jew. I don’t think they see a Jew and hate them. Most people have a certain level of prejudice…it is natural…when you use the word antisemite it is a very strong word and we use it so liberally…we have to be very careful how we use that word.”
He was asked if he would meet with KKK members, Neo-Nazis, Nick Fuentes. Is anyone too vicious?
He replied “it depends for what purpose. [In this case] I did not set out to meet them.”
He said, “The meeting by itself if it serves a constructive purpose should be applauded . This notion that you cannot speak with someone is absurd. If you are going to meet an antisemite with no constructive purpose, don’t meet. Whats the point?”
He added “People met with Adolf Eichmann for a constructive purpose.”
Freedlander was asked if consulted with Daas Torah before speaking with Omar and Tlaib
Replied “I did not ask anyone before, I did not think there was a need to ask. “
He added, “It’s a good idea, over Shabbos I will ask my father, I”m curious to hear his response.”
Asked how he is different from the Niturei Karta meeting with Iranian leaders, Friedlander staunchly objected and said they are worlds apart.
“He said it is comparing apples and oranges, they are totally different scenarios. They get on a plane and go and formally meet with enemies of Yidden, they show them immense respect and praise. They are hugging people like Ahmidenijad. Whereas Ezra happened to be in a room with these two, he had a short unscheduled conversation.”
When asked if he would go to their office if he were invited, he said yes. However he insisted that it is still very different than extremist groups like Neturei Karta, who embrace and praise and encourage our enemies, whereas Ezra does no such thing.
The fact that he was invited it was as a representative of Jewry. Not as an individual
Regardless of what he says. This is the same man that works for every democrat that wants Jewish support than hit us in the head
“People met with Adolf Eichmann for a constructive purpose.”
As a grandson of one of the people who met with Eichmann (Julius Steinfeld-I’m unaware of anyone else who did) let it be clear there is no comparison between my grandfather meeting Eichmann and Friedlander meeting these people. When my grandfather met Eichmann, Eichmann was anyway in control, my grandfather was risking his life by going to meet him. At first Eichmann physically threw him down a flight of stairs my grandfather still came back up to speak to him to plead on behalf of the Jewish community .
Friedlander on the other hand did not meet these people in the context of arguing of behalf of kllal Yisroel. The context was helping them with their propaganda and helping himself with his career. There is absolutely no reason to think that the Jewish community will benefit in any way from a lobbyist attending a propaganda event of theirs. . There is reason to think it will be hurt by his indirectly giving a hechser on them.
WATCH: Ezra Friedlander Defends – ‘People met with Adolf Eichmann for a constructive purpose’
VIN you just won the award for taking someone’s words out of context.
Andre Carson is also anti Israel, but money uber allies to some.
“Friedlander also noted that he is not an asian ”
Huh?
Useful idiot
By the way ezra is agudas main lobbyist and he organizes ALL their political events
agree with him
But he didn’t need to go public with it on twitter
We need dialog , but not to give the ammunition against us by saying even Jews meet with me etc
I’m no fan of Ezra’s. But his explanation of why he went and met them, well after having had time to hear him out, is valid and will perhaps even turn out to be useful.
Sometimes to open channels of communications you have to talk, even if you have to hold your nose while talking.
Of course, snubbing powerful people is dumb
He clearly did not try to get any antisemites at the meeting to become clients. And he didn’t feel the need to ask anyone permission to go to the event. Like most folks, he is a free agent acting with free will. Not every action requires running to a rav for instructions.
Ezra Friedlander is no Rav Yochanan. That being said Rav Yochanan ben Zakkai met with Vespasian, who as Roman Emperor at the time of the churban, makes Rashid et al look like uberZionists.
I think he is trying to do the right thing. Yes, there were meetings between Jews and Eichmann, for purposes of trying to save lives, but, if you’ve ever read some of the ugly anti-Israel and crossing into anti-Semitic stuff on sites like Mondoweiss, any Jew who met with a Nazi is called a Jewish collaborator, no matter how far from the truth this is. Our enemies, including amongst our own people who’ve joined hands with the pro-Palestinians, are looking to tar and feather any/all of us, twisting something decent into something bad. It’s occasionally a win-win situation, but mostly lose-lose.
Leave Friendlander alone. Though, he should be careful not to arouse the anger of AIPAC and such.
Is this the same Askan that defended Nadalers vote for the Iran deal?
I agree with Friedlander. You have to talk to those with whom you disagree, and you never know what will come out of such dialogue.
And by the way, I do not like Tlaib or Omar, but let us be careful in our comparisons. To mention their names together with Eichmann is not acceptable.
Ezra is is right. Omar and Tlaib have made comments agains Israel and pro Palanstinians still, they are not Nick Fuentes, KKK or the leaders of Iran or Hamas. meeting them and keeping communication open is ok. he hasn’t praised them or donated to them.
perspective and proportion is important,
Who knows one of them may be President one day.
“Hakal kol Yaakov vihuyidayim eiday aysov
Jews are permitted to attend Muslim events (even attending a Mosque or using it as a place to Daven).
Churches are different as Christianity is considered by most poskim to be Avodah Zarah.
Ezra knows what he’s doing.
Of course not every thing attempted works out. There’s never guarantees in any attempt in any matter.
Ezra is a true askan. The very definition of the word.
“Many criticized Friedlander for communicating with the socialist BDS supporters who have a track record of making vicious antisemitic statements.”
One wonders if these Muslims would express any opinions about Jews if not for the Zionist Big Lie of Israel being the “Jewish State”.
Perhaps if he told them that Jews are not Zionists and that Zionists don’t represent Jews, then maybe that would actually help Jews.
But the Zionist idol doesn’t allow for such thought.
Thanks Reb Ezra for doing the right thing over being political correct
You are a true sample of how normal Yidden should act.