New York, NY, March 9, 2006 … Reacting to reports that an Islamic summit on the economic boycott of Israel is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on the Saudis to reaffirm their pledge to the United States that they would not restrict trade to Israel.

"As a condition for admission into the World Trade Organization, Saudi Arabia made a pledge to the United States that they would not enforce trade restrictions against any members of that organization, including the State of Israel," said Barbara B. Balser, ADL National Chair and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "We hope that the Saudis have not gone back on their word."

The 57-nation Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) is scheduled to convene in Jidda, Saudi Arabia, March 13-15.  According to a report in The Jerusalem Post, the meeting will be focused on the Arab economic boycott of Israel.

In a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, ADL noted that any involvement by Saudi Arabia in discussions on restricting trade to Israel would "contravene" assurances made by the Saudis in November 2005 when Saudi Arabia was admitted into the WTO.  The League called on the U.S. government to "consider appropriate action through the WTO" should Saudi Arabia not uphold its commitments.

ADL has also written to the Saudi Ambassador to the U.S., Prince Turki Al-Faisal, seeking an explanation from the Saudi government.

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.