New York, NY, June 19, 2007 … The United Nations Human Rights Council's unanimous adoption of a proposal for Israel to become part of the council's permanent agenda shows that "they are at it again," the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said in a statement issued today.

The Human Rights Council unanimously approved President Luis Alfonso de Alba's proposal for Israel, and Israel alone, to become part of the council's permanent agenda.  The proposal was adopted by consensus, a procedural maneuver by Alba to prevent any debate, with only Canada voicing its opposition.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

Once again, it is Israel alone that is singled out for censure, or worse, by the U.N. Human Rights Council while notorious human rights violators get a free pass.  This is unfortunately something we have come to expect from the United Nations human rights bodies, where there seems to be no escaping the pattern of institutionalized bias and discrimination against the state of Israel.

They are at it again.  With its first session coming to a close, it is clear that the efforts to reform this body have failed.  The council is no better than its predecessor, the Human Rights Commission, for it has reinvigorated and strengthened the old myopic focus on Israel.

We extend our appreciation to Canada as the lone voice of reason in standing against this proposal.

Last week, ADL wrote letters to the Geneva-based U.N. ambassadors of key nations who have membership on the council, urging them to "immediately intervene on this matter to rescue the very credibility and effectiveness of the council."

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.