Anti-Defamation League ramps up lobbying to promote controversial definition of antisemitism

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has spent record amounts lobbying for bills opponents say are meant to punish criticism of Israel and target Jewish peace and Palestinian rights groups, marking a shift in strategy over the last several years. The Jewish civil rights organization, founded in 1913, is the self-described "leading anti-hate organization in the world", and has historically focused on combating antisemitism by shaping public opinion. Its lobbying spike marks a dramatic shift - it spent about $100,000 on lobbying in 2020 and is on pace to spend nearly $1.6m this year based on its first quarter expenditures, a Guardian…