New York, NY, September 7, 2005 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) praised the statements by two major Protestant groups repudiating calls for divestment from Israel and for taking down the West Bank security barrier.  The statements from Presbyterians Concerned for Jewish and Christian Relations (PCJCR) and the National Christian Leadership Conference for Israel (NCLCI), "show that there are many in the Christian community who believe that divestment is unjust and simply the wrong solution" for promoting Israeli-Palestinian peace, the League said.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, and Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor, ADL Director of Interfaith Affairs issued the following statement:

Once again, it is clear that not only are there are divergent voices within the Protestant community on the use of divestment, but there are serious reservations among the people in the pews about the logic of using divestment as a tool to pressure companies doing business with Israel, or as a bludgeon against the Jewish State itself.

The statements from Presbyterians Concerned for Jewish and Christian Relations and the National Christian Leadership Conference for Israel show there are many in the Christian community who believe that divestment is unjust and simply the wrong solution for encouraging peace among the Israeli and Palestinian people.  At this crucial time of confidence-building and negotiation, churches that still advocate economic sanctions against Israel only hurt, not help, the chances for peaceful co-existence.

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.