U.S. Army: Slide lumping haredi Orthodox with extremists used once, discarded

A slide on extremist threats lumping haredi Orthodox Jews, among others, with groups like the Ku Klux Klan and al-Qaida was used once and removed, the U.S. Army said.

The slide, revealed Tuesday in a report by the London Daily Mail, lists under the rubric of "Religious Extremism" terms such as "evangelical Christianity (U.S./Christian)," "Ultra-Orthodox (Israel/Judaism)," "Sunni Muslim (Iraq/Islam)" and "Catholicism (U.S./Christian)."

Also listed are groups designated as terrorist by the U.S. government such as Hamas, Kach and al-Qaida, as well as U.S. groups seen as outside the mainstream because of their racist rhetoric, like the Klan and the Nation of Islam.

A statement provided to JTA by Pentagon spokesman George Wright said the presentation made a year ago to Army reservists was an "isolated incident."

"The slide was not produced by the Army and certainly does not reflect our policy or doctrine," Wright said.

"It was produced by an individual without anyone in the chain of command's knowledge or permission," he said.  "In the notes, it was clearly stated that the presenter was not a subject matter expert and produced the material after conducting Internet research."

Wright noted that the presenter, whom he does not name, apologized. 

"After receiving a single complaint following the presentation, this person deleted the slide and it was never again shown," Wright said.

A separate slide in the presentation defines extremist groups as those advocating "the use of force and violence" and "supremacist causes," and that engage "in efforts to deprive individuals or groups of their civil rights."

Another slide lists prohibitions on soldiers' participation in the activities of such groups.

JTA