The president and CEO of the American Psychological Association rejected the findings of a House report on Jewish hatred within the association, telling colleagues Thursday that the APA had “held listening sessions” with Jewish psychologists.
“The APA’s actions not only create a harmful environment for Jewish members, but also raise broader concerns about the profession,” a spokesperson for the House Education and Workforce Committee told JNS.
“When an organization responsible for accrediting psychology programs and setting professional standards allows ideology to overshadow scholarship, it risks undermining the credibility of the entire field,” the spokesperson said.
The report, released Thursday, reveals that anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activists have “successfully co-opted” the association.
Internal emails showed that association leaders removed references to terrorism from their Oct. 7 statement over objections from an affiliated group.
The report also documents opposition to recognizing a Jewish ethnic psychological association, with critics claiming that Jews benefited from “white privilege.”
“The committee will not only continue to advocate for Jewish psychologists, but will work to denounce anti-Semitism wherever it occurs,” the committee spokesperson told JNS.
Following the report’s release, APA President Wendi S. Williams and CEO Arthur C. Evans, Jr. sent an email to colleagues, which JNS reviewed.
“We disagree with this report,” they wrote. “The American Psychological Association unequivocally condemns anti-Semitism in all its forms.”
The association said it had “held listening sessions with more than 120 Jewish psychologists and stakeholders to better understand concerns” and “created a collaboration of Jewish psychologists to support continued engagement.”
“We recognize that this work requires continued attention and action, and we remain committed to advancing the APA’s mission to promote the well-being and respect of all people,” Williams and Evans wrote.
The Anti-Defamation League released a public statement Friday, sent to JNS, thanking the House committee for the report.
“Anti-Semitism within the American Psychological Association is not isolated,” the organization said. “It is anchored in its ranks and in its leaders.”
The ADL said it and other Jewish organizations “publicly and privately told APA leaders exactly what needed to change, and failed to act” for more than a year.
“When a healing profession treats the pain of a group with such indifference, Jewish patients are right to wonder whether they will be met with compassion or contempt,” the ADL said.
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