New York, NY, November 6, 2003…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today honored New York Times Columnist Thomas L. Friedman with the first ADL Daniel Pearl Award at ADL's 90th Anniversary National Commission Meeting, in New York City.

"I can think of no finer founding recipient of the ADL Daniel Pearl Award than Tom Friedman," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "For the last quarter century, Mr. Friedman's writing has highlighted the importance of understanding and communication across the globe.  Mr. Friedman always provides his readers with an intelligent, educated and trusted insight on Israel.  His acceptance of this prize is not just a tribute to his outstanding catalog of work, but a tribute to the memory of Daniel Pearl."

Thomas Friedman is the Pulitzer Prize winning Foreign Affairs Columnist for The New York Times.  He is the bestselling author of numerous books including From Beirut to Jerusalem, The Lexus and the Olive Tree: Understanding Globalization and his latest is Longitudes and Attitudes: Exploring the World After September 11.

The ADL award, named in honor of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, is endowed by George and Ruth Moss and is given to recognize individuals who are working for a positive impact on the image of Jews and Judaism in the Muslim world.