Arizona Senate candidate and former sheriff Joe Arpaio has spoken at least five times with the anti-Semitic American Free Press newspaper. He spoke with them as recently as this month. Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, issued the following statement in response:
“No candidate for public office should grant interviews to an outlet that runs stories headlined ‘Meet The Man Who Invented The Holocaust’ and ‘Jewish Fingerprints All Over 9-11.’ The American Free Press was founded by a prominent Holocaust denier who was described by William F. Buckley as representative of ‘the fever swamps of the crazed right.’ This information is but a Google search away from any inquiring mind.
“Arpaio said he was unaware of the newspaper’s anti-Semitic bent and said he does not support ‘that view point.’ We expect him to be more careful about speaking with extremist outlets in the future. We call on all public figures to avoid giving their time and prestige to fringe media outlets that deny the fundamental rights of other Americans.”
Interfaith Alliance celebrates religious freedom by championing individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy, and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism. Founded in 1994, Interfaith Alliance brings together members from 75 faith traditions as well as those without a faith tradition to protect faith and freedom. For more information visit www.interfaithalliance.org.