New York, NY, June 14, 1996...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called the action taken by the Southern Baptist Convention to convert Jews to Christianity "an insult to the Jewish people and a setback for the cause of interfaith dialogue and understanding." A resolution adopted by the Southern Baptists stated that they would direct their "energies and resources toward the proclamation of the Gospel to the Jews." A missionary has been appointed to lead the conversion initiative.

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

The campaign launched by Southern Baptists to convert Jews to Christianity is an insult to the Jewish people and a setback for the cause of interfaith dialogue and understanding. We are very sad that emphasis would be placed on converting Jews rather than promoting a common ground and discourse between all faiths.

Unfortunately, the backdrop for intolerance toward Jews in Europe, culminating in the Holocaust, was the absence of respect by Christianity for Judaism's legitimacy. Anything less than ardent support of the preservation of the Jewish people, is an affront to the memory of those who were murdered by intolerance.

ADL has long been involved in promoting tolerance and understanding among different religions through interfaith dialogue and has moved forward in its efforts to enrich Christian and Jewish relations.

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.