New York, NY, October 14, 2010 … In remarks at a dinner where he was honored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for his stalwart support of Israel and his commitment to promoting respect and speaking out against anti-Semitism, media magnate K. Rupert Murdoch described in stark terms what he sees as an "ongoing war against the Jews" and efforts to isolate the Jewish State through "a soft war" of delegitimization and isolation.

He said attacks against Israel have evolved over the years from conventional warfare to terrorism and international isolation.

"Now the war has entered a new phase," Mr. Murdoch said.  "This is the soft war that seeks to isolate Israel by delegitimizing it.  The battle ground is everywhere – the media, multinational organizations, NGOs.  In this war, the aim is to make Israel a pariah."

Mr. Murdoch was presented with the ADL International Leadership Award last night at a dinner in New York City, where he was feted by film producer Harvey Weinstein, Fox News President Roger Ailes, ADL National Chair Robert G. Sugarman and ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman, among other dignitaries.

Mr. Foxman recalled how his first introduction to Mr. Murdoch was in a private setting, "away from the media spotlight."

"I have come to know the man, not his image," Mr. Foxman said in presenting the award to Mr. Murdoch.  "I learned that he cared deeply about the safety and security of Israel.  I learned that he was as distressed as I was about efforts to delegitimize the Jewish state, to hold it to a double standard, and to seek its demise by some."

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Murdoch touched on what he described as the danger signs that anti-Semitism is on the rise, and provided examples of how some anti-Semitism from the left comes under the guise of legitimate criticism of Israel.

"When Americans think of Anti-Semitism, we tend to think of the vulgar caricatures and attacks of the first part of the 20^th century," Mr. Murdoch said.  "Now it seems that the most virulent strains come from the left. Often this new anti-Semitism dresses itself up as legitimate disagreement with Israel."

Mr. Murdoch said the United States should stand by its ally, Israel, in times of crisis, and that the White House should not distance itself from Israel to seek credibility in the Muslim world.  "Some believe that if America wants to gain credibility in the Muslim world and advance the cause of peace, Washington needs to put some distance between itself and Israel.  My view is the opposite.  Far from making peace more possible, we are making hostilities more certain."

Former recipients of the ADL International Leadership Award include Cees Van Der Hoeven of Royal Ahold, Neville Isdell of Coca-Cola, Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones of L'Oreal, and Maurice Levy of Publicis.