Washington, DC, September 19, 2002 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed outrage at a German cabinet minister’s comparison of President Bush to Adolph Hitler. Yesterday, Justice Minister Herta Daeubler-Gmelin accused President Bush of seeking action against Iraq to divert attention from domestic problems saying “That’s a popular method. Even Hitler did that,” according to a German newspaper. Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

At best, the Minister’s remark is a sign of horrendous ignorance of Germany’s own history; at worst a stoking of anti-American sentiment. This only serves to fuel the gross trivialization of World War II and the Holocaust. The Justice Minister should be reprimanded and censured by the German government. Prime Minister Schroeder can best serve the strong US - German relationship by apologizing both to President Bush and the American people.

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.