New York, NY, March 18, 2005 … Surprised and dismayed by his remarks comparing "Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust to what is happening to abortion in America," and troubled by his subsequent attempt to defend his words, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called on New York State Senator Ruben Diaz to immediately repudiate his remarks and apologize.

"The senator's remarks comparing abortion to the Holocaust were abhorrent, misguided and misinformed, and his attempts to justify them inexcusable," said Joel J. Levy, ADL New York Regional Director.  "Senator Diaz should repudiate his remarks and apologize for offending those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis and those who fought against the Nazis, many of whom are his constituents."

ADL has not as yet received a response to its March 16 letter to Senator Diaz, which expressed "surprise and dismay" at his remarks and urged him to apologize immediately.  Instead, the Senator was quoted as further defending his remarks in the New York Daily News.

In remarks to the State Senate on March 15, Senator Diaz termed abortion "the American Holocaust," and asserted that "I want to compare Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust to what is happening to Abortion in America.  … Do not point the finger at Hitler, we are worse."

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.