The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today congratulated British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for being the first head of government to sign the London Declaration against anti-Semitism and encouraged other heads of government to add their names to the document.

"Gordon Brown set an important example for others to follow, just as the British parliament has taken the lead on parliamentary efforts to combat anti-Semitism," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "The London Declaration was a response to the global outpouring of anti-Semitism that we are seeing around the world today, and it calls on governments and parliaments to act.  Prime Minister Brown rightly called on other heads of government to join him in signing the declaration, and we support his initiative."

The London Declaration, adopted on February 19 in London at the inaugural conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism, called for various practical measures to combat manifestations of anti-Jewish bigotry around the world.  ADL played a significant role in the conference, which brought together more than 120 lawmakers from over 40 countries spanning the globe to devise an effective framework and forge new strategies to confront anti-Semitism on a global scale.

"Too many leaders were silent in the face of blatant anti-Semitic displays at recent demonstrations against Israel and following attacks on Jewish institutions," Mr. Foxman said.  "The British Prime Minister's public signing and his strong statement of support show how every leader has an opportunity to demonstrate their personal commitment and their government's policy to counter anti-Semitism.  We hope the response to his call will be universal."

Among its recommendations, the London Declaration calls for the creation of an international task force of Internet experts to develop metrics for online anti-Semitism and policy recommendations for governments to combat it, the establishment of parliamentary inquiries to determine the state of anti-Semitism domestically and to develop policy recommendations, and a commitment to oppose discrimination against Israel in international organizations such as at the U.N.'s Durban II conference.