The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish civil rights and pro-Israel lobbying organization, quietly filed a sweeping Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with Wayne State University. The request sought emails from thousands of faculty, staff, and administrators that referenced Palestine, Zionism, or the student group Students for Justice in Palestine.
Obtained by Metro Times through FOIA, the request generated nearly 7,500 emails involving more than 14,000 accounts. These accounts included management and journalists at WDET, the public radio station partly owned and operated by Wayne State. However, the ADL never collected the records.
Critics argue that the FOIA request was designed to intimidate and surveil pro-Palestinian voices on campus. “This is a disgusting attempt to stifle free speech,” said one pro-Palestinian professor, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation. “I’m absolutely appalled. The ADL will stop at nothing to rid campuses of pro-Palestinians.”
### Details of the FOIA Request
Filed in February 2024, the FOIA sought emails, instant messages, and other electronic communications dating back to January 2023. It targeted communications referencing Students for Justice in Palestine, the phrase “From the River to the Sea,” or words such as “Zionist,” “Zionism,” “Palestine,” “Intifada,” or “antisemitism.”
Wayne State’s response indicated that the search would include offices such as the president, the provost, government and community affairs, marketing and communications, and Development and Alumni Affairs.
University officials reported that the FOIA produced roughly 7,500 emails, but the records required further review to determine if any contained exempt information. Wayne State charged the ADL $6,052 for the search and required a 50% deposit. The ADL never paid, and the records were never disclosed.
### Lack of Response from ADL
The FOIA request was filed by ADL Chief Legal Officer Steven C. Sheinberg, who did not respond to messages seeking comment. The ADL as an organization also declined to respond.
Founded in 1913 to combat antisemitism, the ADL has in recent years faced growing criticism from civil rights and free-speech advocates for labeling pro-Palestinian activism as antisemitic.
The ADL has called Students for Justice in Palestine one of America’s “Top 10 Anti-Israel Groups.” In March 2025, the organization issued a “Campus Antisemitism Report Card” that critics said conflated legitimate protest with hate speech. This report gave failing grades to several universities where large pro-Palestinian demonstrations were held.
### Campus Tensions and Protests
At Brown University in February 2024, dozens of students walked out of a talk by ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, accusing him of misrepresenting criticism of Israel as antisemitism.
The ADL has also previously called for federal investigations into campus activism that it claimed supported Hamas. Advocates for pro-Palestinian groups say these tactics have led to university crackdowns on dissent nationwide.
Wayne State University itself has come under heavy scrutiny for its handling of pro-Palestinian activism. In May 2024, the university oversaw the forceful dismantling of a peaceful pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. The administration has repeatedly refused to meet with supporters of Gaza and has disrupted subsequent peaceful protests.
In June, a group of pro-Palestinian students, graduates, and a parent filed a federal lawsuit accusing the university of violating protesters’ constitutional rights.
### Concerns Over Chilling Effect on Speech
The revelation that the ADL sought thousands of internal emails about Palestine and related topics, including those of WDET journalists, is prompting new concerns about a chilling effect on free speech.
“This wasn’t about protecting Jewish students,” said another professor who was included in the FOIA request and asked to remain anonymous. “It was about silencing criticism of Israel.”
Wayne State officials declined to comment on the FOIA request. Metro Times was also unable to reach WDET for comment.
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