New York, NY, July 10, 2001 … While welcoming Credit Suisse Group’s assurances that one of its employees acted in a private capacity in making the charge that Jews had provoked anti-Semitism in Switzerland, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on the financial institution to undertake a company-wide anti-bias education program. Credit Suisse has assured ADL that the employee’s statement, "does not in any way reflect the position of the Credit Suisse Group."

"Having closely worked with Credit Suisse, which has been at the forefront of Switzerland’s efforts to confront its history and provide justice for Holocaust victims and their heirs, we accept their clarification and welcome their concern," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "However, we believe that such a serious charge by one of their employees should have consequences. We call on Credit Suisse to undertake a program of anti-bias education, so that all of their employees can understand the root causes of anti-Semitism and bigotry. Teaching employees to understand and respect each other, inside and outside of the workplace, is the best defense against bias and intolerance."

Roger Schaerer, a public relations employee for Credit Suisse Group, had stated that pressure on Switzerland from world Jewish groups to confront its World War II past created an anti-Semitic backlash that led to the June 7 killing of Abraham Greenbaum, an Israeli Orthodox rabbi who was visiting Zurich. Schaerer had made the statement in a letter to a Swiss newspaper.

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.