New York, NY, January 22, 1997...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the apology and regret expressed by a cartoonist and his news syndicate for an insensitive cartoon which described Hanukkah as the Jewish Christmas. BUCKLES, the comic strip in question, is created by David Gilbert and distributed nationally to Sunday newspapers by King Features.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, welcomed the response from Tom Daning, Associate Editor of King Features, who said, "we deeply regret an offense taken by the incident." He acknowledged that the editors did notice the copy and "tried to correct it, unfortunately, our efforts were not in time to change the copy in all newspapers..."

BUCKLES' creator David Gilbert said. "I deeply apologize for the mistake...In no way was I trying to equate Hanukkah with Christmas. My intent was simply to show the different ways that people celebrate the holidays. I realize now that the dialogue was poorly worded and easily misconstrued." Mr. Gilbert went on to say that, "In no way was I trying to offend Jewish people or misappropriate this holy celebration. Again I am truly sorry."

"We are pleased that Mr. Gilbert and King Features recognized the error made and that they moved swiftly to correct it. Their apologies are accepted."

Mr. Foxman had written to King Features about the comic strip, which appeared nationally on December 22, in which Flea tells BUCKLES that "in the Jewish religion Christmas is also called Hanukkah. It lasts eight days and on each a candle is lit." Mr. Foxman pointed out that, "The holiday of Hanukkah is in no way related to Christmas, and is not the Jewish version of Christmas." Such an error, Mr. Foxman said, serves to "deligitimize Hanukkah's importance in its own right, by granting it credibility only as it relates to Christmas."

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.