New York, N.Y., September 3, 2001 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended the Bush administration for pulling out of the U.N. World Conference Against Racism, which had been hijacked by anti-Israel and anti-Jewish forces.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director, issued the following statement:

The U.S. walkout from the World Conference Against Racism in Durban was the right thing to do in the face of the concerted anti-Israel effort, led by the Palestinians and the Arab world.

It is unfortunate that those parties believed it was more important to use this conference for their ongoing attacks on Israel than to make progress on global issues of racism.

We continue to support the legitimate and necessary goals of the conference to combat real racism worldwide.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.