ADL took an active role in the struggle against anti-Semitism and extremism in Western Europe and in the newly democratic nations of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. ADL has established an international reputation on these issues, and is called upon by foreign governments as a resource in assessing and counteracting intolerance in their countries.

In Congress ­ The League also worked closely with the U.S. Administration and with Members of Congress and the 100-member Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism to mobilize a collective voice in the U.S. Government to speak out against incidents of anti-Semitism wherever they occur. In recent months, Task Force members have reached out to colleagues in the Russian Parliament to raise concerns about the spate of anti-Semitic slurs coming from the Russian Communist Party as well as to German officials to commence swift action against neo-Nazi activity.

Vienna Office ­ In its first year of operation, ADL's Central and Eastern European Office in Vienna served as a resource for the Jewish communities and governments in the region. The office responds to political events, incidents of anti-Semitism and bigotry and provides expertise on hate on the Internet and Holocaust denial.

Russian Anti-Semitism ­ A growing area of concern for the League in 1998 was Russia. With the economic and political instability in the region, there has been an increase in political anti-Semitism, with elected Communist Party officials spouting outrageous accusations targeting Jews as scapegoats for Russia's economic, political and social ills. ADL closely monitors the situation in Russia and in the other former Soviet republics, and is in regular contact with political leaders and with leaders of the Jewish community there. The League has also been in regular contact with the Administration, Congress and representatives from the European Union coordinating activities and letters to make it clear to Russian officials that inaction against anti-Semitism is unacceptable.