New York, NY, May 19, 2000…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed disappointment at the World Bank’s decision to approve a loan to Iran, the first in seven years, in light of the current trial on trumped up charges of 13 Jews in Iran, calling it "bad business."

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

We are disappointed at the World Bank’s decision to approve a $233 million loan to Iran. We would have hoped that the executive board of the bank would understand that it is bad business and would have deferred such a decision in light of the trial of 13 Iranian Jews now underway in Shiraz. Such a delay would have sent Iran the unmistakable message that the international community cannot conduct business with Iran when it is disregarding international legal standards.

We salute the United States and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright for demonstrating leadership in advocating a delay of the vote, and in being the sole country to vote against the loan. We also commend Canada and France for their abstention.

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.