U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

2005 NEWS RELEASES, PRESS ADVISORIES AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

USCCR COMMENDS STATE DEPARTMENT FOR ANTI-SEMITISM REPORT

Washington, DC - The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights commends the U.S. State Department Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor for issuing Report on Global Anti-Semitism. The first of its kind, the report examines the increasing frequency and severity of anti-Semitic incidents, and government responses to such offenses. It establishes that vandalism, violence, and other forms of intimidation have increased sharply in all regions of the world.

"We commend the State Department for drawing attention to anti-Semitism with this groundbreaking report," said Gerald Reynolds, Commission Chairman. "The trend toward increasing violence and hate disrupt freedom for many individuals and can only be reversed with leadership. This report represents an important step for our country and the world community," he added.

The report was drafted pursuant to the Global Anti-Semitism Review Act, Public Law 108-332, signed by President Bush on October 16, 2004. It is available on the State Department's Web site, www.state.gov.

01/10/05