On January 20, Elon Musk repeatedly performed a Nazi salute on stage at a Donald Trump inauguration event. It was chilling, especially for those of us whose ancestors faced persecution and mass murder at the hands of Nazis. And it also highlighted the Trump administration’s close ties to white nationalists and neo-Nazis — mirrored in its racist and authoritarian executive orders.

In response, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) glossed over Musk’s Nazi gesture, asking us to give him “the benefit of the doubt” — even as the ADL regularly targets and assumes the worst intentions of people fighting for Palestinian rights. In this critical moment for our country and the world, it is unacceptable for the ADL to defend or downplay this terrifying act. We must hold them accountable and choose a different path for fighting antisemitism and hate.

Now is the time for Jews — and everyone — to say loud and clear what should be obvious: Jewish safety will not be found by aligning ourselves with Musk, Trump, and movements that spew racism, white nationalism, antisemitism, and hate.