New York, NY, November 18, 2005 … In a written submission to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights briefing on campus anti-Semitism, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) described a number of disturbing recent incidents of anti-Semitism, vandalism, and distribution of hate literature at colleges and universities across the country.

While the ADL noted that institutional anti-Semitism, discrimination, and quotas against Jewish students and faculty are "largely a thing of the past," the League outlined a series of incidents in which stridently anti-Israel activism on campus had crossed the line into anti-Semitic intimidation and harassment. 

"The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has a proud legacy of excellent work in raising the nation's consciousness about national problems," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "We believe the USCCR can play a productive role in drawing attention to the impact of anti-Semitism and the need to confront that problem and other forms of bigotry on campus today." 

The League's statement distinguished between objective, legitimate criticism of the State of Israel and unfair and improper demonization of Israel, or vilification of Israeli leaders – sometimes through comparisons with Nazi leaders.  The statement also described a variety of ADL programmatic responses to bias, prejudice, and anti-Semitism on campus and urged the Commission to support improved government hate crime data collection efforts at colleges and universities.

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.