More reaction on AIPAC case (UPDATED)

The Anti-Defamation League, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations have weighed in on today’s AIPAC news. Here are their statements, starting with the ADL–which stated that it was a case that "should never have been brought before the courts:

We welcome the Justice Department’s decision to dismiss the espionage charges against former AIPAC staffers Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman, a case that should never have been brought before the courts.

While we are always mindful of and fully support our government’s need to protect sensitive national security information, this prosecution was not necessary for such protection.  To the best of our knowledge, there were no charges of spying here – no alleged payment for information, or secret meetings, or theft of documents.  The prosecution dusted off an almost 100-year-old, seldom used statute, the Espionage Act of 1917, and applied it in what the judge hearing the case said was an “unprecedented” manner – to cover private citizens, for the exchange of oral information, disclosed as part of their jobs.

The case endangered core First Amendment protections not just for AIPAC, but for the media and anyone who, in the course of their work, discusses with government officials something that a prosecutor later decides was protected national defense information. 
 

RAC director Rabbi David Saperstein said information revealed during the pre-trial process "raised grave concerns that a serious injustice and abuse of power was involved in the case" and hoped defendants Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman "will be able to resume their careers of service expeditiously":

We are gratified that the government has made the decision to drop the charges against Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman and welcome the dismissal of this case. Information revealed during the pretrial process, along with the rulings of the judge, raised grave concerns that a serious injustice and abuse of power was involved in this case. In particular, use of the 1917 Espionage Act, which had never before been used against private citizens, threatens to stifle free speech and constitutionally protected advocacy.

Both Rosen and Weissman have contributed significantly to Israel’s and America’s security and well-being over the years, as well as to the strength of United States-Israeli relations. We hope they will be able to resume their careers of service expeditiously.

And the Conference of Presidents:

Alan Solow, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chair of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations said they welcomed the decision by the government to drop the case against two former employees of AIPAC, Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman. “We are pleased that this nightmare has ended for Mr. Rosen and Mr. Weissman and their families. We hope this will put an end to the spurious charges that have been made and the exploitation by some who sought to use this to advance baseless accusations and charges against those who support Israel,” said Solow and Hoenlein.