New York, NY, April 24, 1996...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the vote by the Palestine National Council (PNC) to revoke the clauses in the Palestinian National Charter which call for Israel's destruction.

David H. Strassler, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

We are pleased that Chairman Yasir Arafat has fulfilled the promise he made to the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in September 1993 to revoke the anti-Israel clauses in the Palestinian National Charter.

Israel and its friends around the world have long considered the removal of these egregious clauses as an important demonstration of Chairman Arafat's and the PNC's commitment to reconciliation with the State of Israel and were extremely concerned by the delay in convening this historic vote.

After this overwhelming vote by the PNC in favor of peace with Israel, we look forward to continued demonstrations of goodwill, particularly in actively controlling anti-Israel terrorism.

As we join today to celebrate forty-eight years of Israeli independence, we reaffirm Israel's right to live in peace and security.

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.