Wiesenthal Center Welcomes State Department Condemnation of Terrorist Glorification By Palestinian Authority

LOS ANGELES, April 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Simon Wiesenthal Center praised today's statement by the U.S. for strongly condemning the honoring of terrorists by the Palestinian Authority. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley told reporters, "We strongly condemn the glorification of terrorists," adding, "honoring terrorists who have murdered innocent civilians, either by official statements or by the dedication of public places, hurts peace efforts and must end."

Thousands of activists have signed on to a Simon Wiesenthal Center protest (www.wiesenthal.com/epetition-whitehouse) calling on President Obama to hold the Palestinian Authority accountable for their actions.

"Today's statement is a welcome one," said Rabbi Marvin Hier, the Wiesenthal Center's Founder and Dean, adding, "Any talk of new Middle East peace initiatives will fail unless Israel's partner, the Palestinian Authority stops its campaign of vilification."

"We urge concerned citizens to sign on to our online campaign urging the President's direct intervention," concluded Hier.

See the Center's petition at www.wiesenthal.com/epetition-whitehouse. For more information, contact the Center's Public Relations department, 310-553-9036.

SOURCE Simon Wiesenthal Center