New York, NY, July 5, 2005 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) hailed a strong resolution on combating anti-Semitism adopted by parliamentarians from the 55 participating states of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).  Adopted by the OSCE's 14th Annual Parliamentary Assembly, which concluded today in Washington, D.C., the resolution urges states to define and collect data on anti-Semitism and hate crimes and to develop legal and educational strategies to combat them.  It also urges parliaments to initiate regular discussions and public awareness efforts on anti-Semitism.  The call for action was offered by Prof. Gert Weisskirchen, a Bundestag Member who was appointed this year as the first OSCE Personal Representative on Anti-Semitism.

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

The OSCE Assembly's call to action is a welcome step in the battle against rising global anti-Semitism.  The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly brought together parliamentarians from both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Atlantic unified in their conviction that a failure to address anti-Semitism will have adverse ramifications for all peoples and societies.  Yet we must not lose momentum.  The 55 participating states should follow-up with hearings in their own parliaments to raise awareness and to craft national action plans against anti-Semitism and intolerance.

We commend the leadership of Prof. Weisskirchen who has fought against anti-Semitism with sensitivity and passion throughout his tenure in the Bundestag.  We are grateful for the commitment of members of Congress who have worked tirelessly to press OSCE states to address this problem.  OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President and Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Congressional Helsinki Commission Chair Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), and Reps. Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) have consistently worked in a bipartisan manner to ensure a distinct focus by the OSCE on anti-Semitism.

The Parliamentary Assembly's 2002 resolution on anti-Semitism broke new ground in acknowledging the link between some anti-Israel animus and anti-Semitism -- language that was hailed as part of the "Berlin Declaration" against anti-Semitism in 2004.

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.