No Thanks

Fareed Zakaria Returns ADL Award

Furious over group’s opposition to ground zero mosque.

Conflict over the ground zero mosque ripples on. In a forthcoming Newsweek column, writer and CNN host Fareed Zakaria reveals his decision to return an award he received from the Anti-Defamation League, after the Jewish group spoke out against the mosque. “Five years ago, the ADL honored me with its Hubert H. Humphrey First Amendment Freedoms Prize," Zakaria writes. “I was thrilled to get the award from an organization that I had long admired. But I cannot in good conscience keep it anymore. I have returned both the handsome plaque and the $10,000 honorarium that came with it. I urge the ADL to reverse its decision. Admitting an error is a small price to pay to regain a reputation.” ADL National Director Abraham Foxman responded to Zakaria’s symbolic gesture in a letter to Zakaria, writing: “As someone I greatly respect for engaging in discussion and dialogue with an open mind I would have expected you to reach out to me before coming to judgment.” Zakaria is expected to further address the issue on his CNN broadcast Sunday.