ADL Commends Hastings Board for Resolution, but Expresses Deep Disappointment That No Steps Taken to Remove Hastings Name and Brand From Problematic Conference

SAN FRANCISCO, March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ADL commended the UC Hastings College of Law Board of Directors for adopting a resolution that "the College should take all steps necessary to remove the Hastings name and brand from the 'Litigating Palestine' conference," but expressed "deep disappointment" that the Board's decision had not been implemented.

The conference, composed of a veritable who's who of the anti-Israel movement, was designed to delegitimize and unjustly cast Israel as a pariah state under the guise of academic freedom.

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Dan Sandman said:

"While we were encouraged by the Hastings Board resolution, we are now deeply disappointed that UC Hastings' actions have not matched their words.  The conference remains prominently displayed on the front of the College's website and it appears that it is preparing to provide online streaming of the conference. To add insult to injury, it also appears that Hastings is offering continuing legal education credit for a program which utterly lacks academic integrity.

"This conference is especially troubling coming at a time when there is a coordinated global campaign to isolate Israel politically, economically and culturally through boycotts and the perversion of international legal principles. We expect that no institution seriously committed to pursuing the highest ideals of justice would associate itself with a conference of this nature and provide cover for the promotion of a base political meeting disguised as legitimate academic discourse."

ADL also welcomed the announcement that the Cummings Foundation, which was one of the major funders of the conference, made the decision this week to remove its financial support of the conference. Added Sandman, "We applaud the Cummings Foundation decision for its strength and moral clarity."

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.

SOURCE Anti-Defamation League

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