New York, NY, January 13, 2004… The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today urged King Abdullah of Jordan to allow the Israeli fencing team to compete in the World Fencing Championship, to be held in Aqaba on January 15 and 16, after the Jordanian Fencing Association barred the Israeli team from participating.

“We are deeply troubled that the Jordanian Fencing Association has barred the Israeli fencing team from participating in the World Fencing Championship in Aqaba,” ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman wrote in a letter to King Abdullah.  “The actions of the Jordanian Fencing Association are contrary to the normalization of Israeli-Jordanian relations.  We respectfully urge you that in the spirit of reconciliation and fair sportsmanship, the Israeli fencing team be permitted to participate in this important competition.”

ADL also communicated with the International Fencing Federation and the United States Fencing Association.