Jerusalem, February 23, 2006 … Following discussions in Israel, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has withdrawn its call for halting construction on the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, reversed the League's stance after receiving assurances from the Wiesenthal Center that the human remains discovered during excavation of the site would be handled respectfully. 

"It is clear that the Wiesenthal Center is taking adequate steps to deal respectfully with the human remains found on the construction site," Mr. Foxman said.  "We are also in agreement with today's Israeli Supreme Court decision appointing a mediator to help facilitate a resolution."

The League had initially expressed concerns about the discovery of Muslim graves at the site and had called for a temporary cessation of construction until the issue could be resolved.

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.