New York, N.Y., June 24, 2003 … Calling the distribution of Henry Ford's anti-Semitic book The International Jew at an official party event for the Malaysian Prime Minister, "outrageous," the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) urged the government of Malaysia to "take immediate steps to demonstrate that anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic literature are not to be tolerated."

The book, which contains the anti-Semitic forgery Protocols of the Elders of Zion, portrays Jews as monolithic, malicious schemers conspiring to take over the world. The official event was marked by the final speech of Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamad as party president.

"The government of Malaysia needs to take immediate steps to demonstrate that anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic literature are not to be tolerated," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "This outrageous incident which occurred at an official function of the ruling party implies official approval of the distribution and the book's contents." The League expressed its concern in a letter to Dato Sheikh Abdul Khalid Ghazzali, Malaysian Ambassador to the United States.

Malaysia's leadership in the past has propagated anti-Jewish conspiracy theories. Previous statements by Prime Minister Mahatir include a comment in 1988 that the Western media is controlled by Jews and an accusation that Jewish-owned foreign publications are attempting to destabilize Malaysia. More recently in 1997, the Prime Minister stated that "Jews are not happy to see Moslem's progress."

Related Articles:
The International Jew
ADL Comments on Statement by Malaysian Prime Minister (1997)

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.