New York, NY, December 6, 2004 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak for his leadership in facilitating Palestinian-Israeli progress and “the important steps you are taking to further relations with the State of Israel.”

In a letter to the Egyptian leader, Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, thanked President Mubarak for his positive words about Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s willingness to pursue peace with the Palestinians.  Mr. Foxman also praised the Egyptian leader for his government’s release of Azzam Azzam, an Israeli businessman who was serving time in an Egyptian prison on spying allegations.

“The release of Azzam Azzam and your important statement at Port Said, calling on the Palestinians to work with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, were significant actions in the promotion of cooperation and reconciliation,” Mr. Foxman wrote in the letter to President Mubarak. “We further salute and appreciate the constructive role Egypt has been playing in facilitating preparations on the ground for the planned Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip.”

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.