Atlanta, Georgia, January 11, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) commended the 14 members of the Carter Center Board of Councilors who resigned today in protest over Carter's recently published book.

Shelley Rose, Interim Director of ADL's Atlanta Regional Office, issued the following statement:

We commend the 14 members of the Carter Center Board of Councilors who resigned today in protest over Carter's recently published book. They have taken a principled stance by taking action to be faithful to their values.

Among the 14 individuals who have resigned are several former and current members of the ADL Southeast Region board of trustees. We are gratified that the work of ADL in monitoring extremist web sites has played a part in exposing the negative impact Carter's words have had.

As stated in their letter of resignation, white supremacist groups in the U.S. have used Carter's remarks as ammunition to support their anti-Semitic views that the Jews control the U.S. government.

We recognize the important work the Carter Center has done over the years and are saddened that this book and Mr. Carter's intemperate stance will reflect poorly on the Carter Center.

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.