New York, NY, August 31, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was "disappointed and dismayed" by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's welcoming remarks to a conference organized by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, which has a history of singling out Israel for undeserved criticism, attacks and boycott threats.

"The United Nations International Conference of Civil Society in support of Israeli-Palestinian Peace," which concluded today in Brussels, involved workshops on "increasing the resistance of the Israeli occupation" -- often the code for suicide bombings against Israeli civilians -- and other actions and statements aimed at de-legitimizing the Jewish state.

In a letter to Mr. Ban, ADL said the conference's title was itself misleading, given the true objectives and goals of its organizers and the Committee's past history of anti-Israel broadsides.

"The agenda topics and the bulk of the speakers reveal a pronounced and extreme anti-Israel slant," said Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "The gathering, as well as the organizing body, is anything but supportive of true Israeli-Palestinian peace.  We are disappointed and dismayed that the Secretary-General would see fit to engage with such a one-sided and potentially damaging proceeding."

ADL urged the Secretary-General to issue a declaration "that the Committee's work is at odds with the United Nations policy and undermines efforts to promote Palestinian-Israeli reconciliation," noting that a 2005 conference hosted by the Committee adopted an action plan which called for a year of "a global campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions" against Israel.

On August 15, the League wrote to the European Parliament President, Professor Dr. Hans-Gert Pottering, calling on the parliament to reconsider permitting its facilities in Brussels to be used for the conference.

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.