New York, NY, January 19, 1999…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) charged that the statement by the Rev. Jerry Falwell that the Antichrist is alive and Jewish "borders on anti-Semitism at best and is anti-Semitic at worst" and "is rooted in Christian theological extremism."

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

The statement by Rev. Jerry Falwell, that the Antichrist, who is evil incarnate, is Jewish, borders on anti-Semitism at best and is anti-Semitic at worst. In identifying the Antichrist as a living Jewish man, Rev. Falwell draws from an especially vicious tradition of Christian theological anti-Judaism.

It appears clear that after years of Christian-Jewish dialogue, Rev. Falwell hasn’t learned a thing. Reverting back to a distorted interpretation of the text of the New Testament, he revisits the worst in intolerance that resulted in persecution of the Jewish people and inquisitions. We have grave concerns that leading up to and after the millenium celebration of the birth of Christ, 2,000 years of history will overtake the last 30 years of Christian-Jewish reconciliation.

Fortunately, the great majority of Christian leaders and ministers consider these hateful myths to be wholly contradictory to true Christian doctrine. If Rev. Falwell and others persist in these prognostications they will be instigating an anti-Semitism rooted in Christian theological extremism.

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.