New York, NY, February 15, 2005 … Deeply troubled by France's efforts to give legitimacy to Hezbollah by calling it a Lebanese "political faction," the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today urged members of the European Union to add Hezbollah to its list of banned terrorist groups.  The E.U. is expected to take up the issue this week.

"Hezbollah is a terrorist organization that is committed to Israel's destruction and actively supports Palestinian terrorists," said Barbara B. Balser, ADL National Chair and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "In doing so, Hezbollah undermines the current efforts of the Palestinian Authority under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas to enforce the cease-fire and end violence in the region."

In a letter to 25 E.U. ambassadors, ADL urged their countries to "play a positive role in encouraging peace in the region by ensuring that the E.U. designates Hezbollah as a terrorist organization."

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.