Jerusalem, September 6, 2006…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applauded the signing of a joint agreement between Israel's Chief Rabbis and the Archbishop of Canterbury, which calls for combating rising anti-Semitism in the world and supporting Israel's right to defend itself and live in peace and security.

The agreement signed by the Archbishop, Dr. Rowan Williams and Chief Rabbis  Shlomo Amar and Yonah Metzger, calls for the creation of a new formal dialogue and development of mutual understanding and trust between the worldwide 81-million member Anglican Communion [the Episcopal Church in the USA] headed by Williams, and Israel and the world Jewish community

"This is a welcome development and will hopefully lead to better relations between the Anglican Communion, Israel and the world Jewish community,  following recent tensions," said Abraham H.  Foxman, ADL National Director, referring to a series of anti-Israel statements by Anglican bishops and the February 6 vote by the Church of England's General Synod to divest from companies profiting from what it called "Israel's illegal occupation" of land.

"We applaud the joint statement's imperative to build a positive dialogue where proselytizing and conversion has no place, but rather insists upon mutual respect and understanding for each faith's traditions and beliefs," Foxman said about the joint statement's affirmation of the unique theological, historical and cultural relationship between Christians and Jews.

Foxman called "important and significant" the agreement's clear and straightforward language condemning rising anti-Semitism in Britain and around the world, and the Anglican Church's commitment to fight against it and it support of Israel.