FBI apologizes for sharing link to anti-Semitic ‘Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion’
by Mike Brest, Breaking News Reporter | August 20, 2020 09:15 AM
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/fbi-apologizes-for-sharing-link-to-anti-semitic-protocols-of-the-learned-elders-of-zion
The FBI is apologizing after an automated Twitter account connected to the bureau disseminated information related to the anti-Semitic "Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion."
The account, which is named the FBI Records Vault, tweeted out a link to a PDF containing the anti-Semitic literature and FBI documents related to it on Wednesday. The tweet did not include any context and thus sparked outrage. The FBI apologized soon after and explained that the account is automated and sends links to public records that have recently been made public through the Freedom of Information Act.
"Earlier today FOIA materials were posted to the FBI’s Vault and FOIA Twitter account via an automated process without further outlining the context of the documents," a follow-up tweet read. "We regret that this release may have inadvertently caused distress among the communities we serve."
The Anti-Defamation League acknowledged "there is no reason to think that the FBI shared this material out of malice or due to antisemitic animus," but noted that the document was released in an "irresponsible" manner.
The "Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" is literature that was created by the Czarist secret police at the turn of the 20th century, and it describes an alleged secret plan of Jewish leaders to take over the world. The document has continued to be used by anti-Semitic groups in the decades since its creation.