New York, NY, June 26, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called the decision by the World Council of Churches (WCC) to launch a global initiative against Israel, "a biased action and a moral outrage," saying the Church group "has abandoned the course of objective, credible advocacy." The WCC announced the decision at its International Peace Conference held in Amman, Jordan on June 21.

In a letter to Rev. Samuel Kobia, WCC Secretary-General, Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, wrote, "It is particularly shameful that the WCC chose to call on churches to 'launch a worldwide rally for an end to Israel's "occupation"' at a time when Israeli civilians are the target of unprovoked rocket attacks from Hamas, which supports the eradication of the State of Israel, and ongoing threats from Hezbollah, a terrorist group supported by Iran."

The one-sided initiative is the latest in a series of anti-Israel WCC activities.  Last year, the WCC issued a shocking statement that blamed Israel alone for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and pursued divestment against Israel.

Mr. Foxman pointed out that, "the WCC initiative ignores the fact that Israel has time and again made every effort to resolve the conflict and negotiate in good faith with the Palestinians… The history is tragic not because of Israel's victory in 1967, but because of Palestinian unwillingness to make critical decisions for peace and compromise."

The ADL leader went on to say, "It is particularly unfortunate that a religious organization which says it is committed to a resolution to this conflict has abandoned the course of objective, credible advocacy for the protection of all parties, which is so essential to a constructive and lasting path to peace."

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.