New York, NY, March 12, 2004 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today said it was appalled that a prominent Israeli has agreed to run the Presidential campaign of a longtime extremist/anti-Semite.

Following is ADL’s statement:

It is appalling that Eyal Arad has agreed to run the Presidential election campaign of Vadim Tudor, a known anti-Semite, thereby giving credibility to Mr. Tudor and his party, Romania Mare.  Through his party’s newspaper and in public statements Mr. Tudor has a long and entrenched history of anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish conspiracy theories.

Recently Mr. Tudor has taken some steps to move away from his hateful attitudes. However, though we believe in epiphanies, there has to be real evidence of change over a period of time.  Mr. Tudor should withdraw from the campaign and demonstrate consistently that he has shed his anti-Semitism and is reformed.  Only then could we reconsider our view of him.

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.