New York, NY, August 28, 2002 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed outrage that an official think-tank of the Arab League has convened a symposium devoted to Holocaust denial, calling it "an underhanded and vindictive attempt to delegitimize Jews and Israel."

The Arab League's Zayed Center for Coordination and Follow-up has described today's symposium in Abu Dhabi as an effort "to counter the historical and political fallacies propagated by Israel… Israel has indulged in spreading lies and exaggerations about the holocaust in order to squeeze out huge sums of money from European countries through worst forms of blackmail…"

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

It is outrageous that an official think-tank of the Arab League has convened a symposium that labels the Holocaust a "false fable" perpetuated by Israel. The growing use of Holocaust denial has become increasingly common in the Arab world as a weapon to attack Israel and the Jewish people.

Now, with an official think-tank of Arab nations giving Holocaust denial a platform under the guise of legitimate policy research, this dangerous and insidious form of anti-Semitism has gained further acceptance.

It is unfortunate that leaders of the Arab League have taken up Holocaust denial in an official forum in an underhanded and vindictive attempt to delegitimize Jews and Israel. World leaders should be wary of future participation in events sponsored by the Zayed Center, which despite its stature as an official Arab League institution has repeatedly indulged in anti-Semitic and anti-Israel slander.

The Zayed Center previously has hosted lectures by Western heads of state and diplomats, including former President Jimmy Carter, former Vice President Al Gore, and former Secretary of State James Baker. The Center has also been a promoter of anti-Semitic extremists and Holocaust deniers. The Center's chairman, Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, is the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.

For More Information:    ADL Backgrounder: The Zayed Center

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.