The ADL is the authoritative, go-to source for politicians and media to check whether an incident, policy, or person is anti-Semitic. Also, the ADL pushes out information when it wants to flag something anti-Semitic.
What’s wrong with ADL guidance?
The ADL uses its authoritative role to undercut anti-racist organizing that challenges its Israel-focused, anti-Muslim, and pro-police positions. It uses the powerful charge of anti-Semitism to smear whole movements, and to distract from the problem of an overwhelmingly white, privileged organization setting the terms for discussion of racism.