Washington, DC, November 20, 2003 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called on the ambassadors from 25 European Union nations to stand up against the explosion of anti-Semitism in Europe.  At a diplomatic luncheon in Washington hosted by Italian Ambassador Sergio Vento, Abraham H. Foxman ADL National Director and author of Never Again? The Threat of the New Anti-Semitism (HarperSanFrancisco, 2003) urged the ambassadors to have their governments speak out boldly against anti-Semitism.

"EU nations today have a special responsibility, because of their history, to take a leadership role in combating anti-Semitism and making it unacceptable in their countries," said Mr. Foxman, who strongly criticized the mixed European reaction to the anti-Semitic speech by former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to the Organization of the Islamic Conference in October.

Mr. Foxman highlighted Italy's condemnation of anti-Semitism across the political spectrum as a model for other nations to follow.  He urged the diplomats to rally their governments and their counterparts in the diplomatic corps, especially from the Arab and Muslim world.

Earlier on Capitol Hill, Mr. Foxman met with a bipartisan group of key Senate and House Members working on the issue of anti-Semitism in Europe to discuss the concerns raised in his book and steps Congress can take.