New York, NY, December 19, 2000 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today welcomed the United Nations Security Council rejection of a Palestinian resolution to send an international force as a buffer between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The United States, Argentina, Britain, Canada, France, the Netherlands and Russia abstained from the vote.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

We welcome the rejection of this highly political resolution to send an international observer force to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. This resolution is part of a campaign by the Palestinian Authority to score points against Israel on the international stage rather than dealing seriously with the crisis on the ground. Such a force would serve no practical purpose. It would do little to promote peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians and will only serve to exacerbate existing tensions and possibly prolong the violence.

Supporters of Israel were outraged by recent Security Council actions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We are pleased that the Security Council resisted this detrimental resolution. We particularly appreciate the efforts of the United States and its Ambassador Richard Holbrooke for steadfastly opposing the concept of an international force.

We hope that the Security Council will now take a constructive role and push for Palestinian efforts to seriously and consistently quell the violence on the ground and genuinely commit to reconciliation with Israel.

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.