Washington, D.C., October 11, 2004…  The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed congressional approval of The Global Anti-Semitism Awareness/Review Act, which acknowledges a disturbing increase in anti-Semitism and establishes an office in the State Department to monitor and combat anti-Semitism worldwide. 

"We applaud Senator George Voinovich and Representatives Tom Lantos and Chris Smith for their leadership in moving this important legislation through Congress," said Barbara B. Balser, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "The targeted violence of the last two years has underscored the need for greater monitoring and highlighted the serious information deficit when it comes to anti-Semitism."

"U.S. efforts to spotlight this problem have been singularly important in their force and effectiveness," said Ms. Balser and Mr. Foxman.   "Enactment of this law will provide an additional tool for the United States to continue its leadership efforts to hold governments accountable for failures, but also to encourage and note progress.  As more governments take on this responsibility, strong U.S. reporting on anti-Semitism as a human rights and religious freedom issue is vitally important."   

ADL played a leadership role in working with international institutions – such as the OSCE -- to urge governments to monitor anti-Semitism in their countries.  Experience demonstrates that it is impossible to craft mechanisms to address anti-Semitism without a clear understanding of the nature and scope of the problem.