ADL Troubled By Implications Of Cancellation Of Tutu Speech

New York, NY, October 9, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today said it was troubled by the implications of the decision of the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to cancel a visit by Archbishop Desmond Tutu because of his past statements about Israel.

The following is the text of a letter from Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, to Father Dennis Dease, President of the University of St. Thomas:

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We appreciate your sensitivity and your willingness to take a stand and refuse to let your institution give a platform to someone you believe has been hurtful to members of the University community.

While Archbishop Tutu is not a friend of Israel, we do not believe he is an anti-Semite. As you rightly point out in your letter, his words have often stung the Jewish community. However, while he may at times have crossed the line, we believe that he should have been permitted to speak on your campus.

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