New York, NY, June 16, 2004 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended the government of Hungary for its decision to resign from the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, a body which promotes a one-sided and propagandistic perspective of Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In a letter to Prime Minister Medgyessy Péter, the League praised Hungary for showing "courage and leadership" in resigning from the one-sided committee.  The following is the text of the letter, signed by Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director:

We are writing to commend Hungary for resigning from the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.  Hungary has shown its courage and leadership in leaving a body that perpetuates and promotes a one-sided and propagandistic perspective of Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The situation in the Middle East can only be resolved by negotiations between the two parties, Israel and the Palestinians.  The purely anti-Israel political agenda of the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People can only serve to exacerbate tensions and is unlikely to enhance chances for peace in the region.

We hope that other countries will follow Hungary's lead and not participate in a one-sided, anti-Israel committee at the United Nations.