New York, NY, July 22, 2004… The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), responding to a letter and a statement from the Presbyterian Church (USA), reiterated its concerns with the Church's policy on Jews and Israel and proposed opening a dialogue.

ADL has raised concerns over the PC (USA)'s support of Avodat Yisrael Church, a church that misrepresents itself in order to proselytize Jews.  "We cannot fathom how an effort to specifically evangelize Jews and how co-opting sacred Jewish symbols and prayers and intentionally misreading them, constitutes 'evangelism in a spirit of respect, openness and honesty'," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, and Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor, ADL Director of Interfaith Affairs.

Also at issue are PC (USA)'s statements on Israel's construction of the security fence and the Church's proposed divestiture from Israel.

"While PC (USA) holds both Israelis and Palestinians accountable for a cessation of aggression, it recommends imposing sanctions only on Israel," said Mr. Foxman and Rabbi Bretton-Granatoor.  "It is as if Israel was erecting a wall to demarcate borders when, in fact, Israel has repeatedly stated that the security barrier is a temporary solution to protect its citizens until there is an end to terrorism.  There is no call, on the part of the Church, to sanction the Palestinian Authority for its failure to end the constant terrorism."

League leaders proposed a meeting to discuss the issues face-to-face.

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.