Arizona Senate candidate and former sheriff Joe Arpaio has spoken at least five times with the anti-Semitic American Free Press newspaper. He spoke with them as recently as this month. Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, issued the following statement in response:

“No candidate for public office should grant interviews to an outlet that runs stories headlined ‘Meet The Man Who Invented The Holocaust’ and ‘Jewish Fingerprints All Over 9-11.’ The American Free Press was founded by a prominent Holocaust denier who was described by William F. Buckley as representative of ‘the fever swamps of the crazed right.’ This information is but a Google search away from any inquiring mind.

“Arpaio said he was unaware of the newspaper’s anti-Semitic bent and said he does not support ‘that view point.’ We expect him to be more careful about speaking with extremist outlets in the future. We call on all public figures to avoid giving their time and prestige to fringe media outlets that deny the fundamental rights of other Americans.”

Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.