New York, NY, September 24, 2003 … In reaction to a Belgian law that allowed the prosecution of U.S. President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on war crimes charges, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed its satisfaction with the Belgian appeals court ruling on the inadmissibility of the charges against the world leaders. 

The Belgian appeals court dismissed the charges against Mr. Bush, Mr. Sharon and others after the scope of the original 1993 law, allowing universal prosecution of war criminals, was narrowed.

"The Belgian law allowed highly politically biased, nuisance cases to be brought to court," Said Abraham H Foxman, ADL National Director.  "At last, the Belgian appeals court has brought this circus to an end.  We are pleased that this ruling as well as recent changes to the Belgian law should prevent such politically motivated accusations from arising again."