AJC Applauds Tony Blair's Stance on Israel Delegitimization

NEW YORK, Aug. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Jewish  Committee applauded Tony Blair, the former British prime  minister and current envoy of the Middle East Quartet, for his  description of the delegitimization campaign against Israel as an affront not just to Israelis, but to "those everywhere, in every  part of humanity, who share the values of a free and independent human spirit."

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In an address to a conference on delegitimization in the Israeli city of Herzliya, Blair spoke warmly  of Israel's achievements in its six decades of existence, saying  "what you have created is a remarkable example for the rest of us."  

He noted that delegitimization does not simply involve rejecting Israel's right to exist, but "is the advocating of prejudice in not allowing that Israel has a point of view that  should be listened to," Blair said.

"Tony Blair has said  exactly what needs to be said, and not a moment too soon," said AJC  Executive Director David Harris. "He has confronted head-on the  global campaign of delegitimization. Moreover, he has appropriately  described the current government of Israel as a determined advocate of peace. And he has laid out fairly the challenges that face  Palestinians and Israelis alike in building peace. In doing so, Tony  Blair has provided us with sharp-eyed clarity when too many others  resort to a moral fog. And he has offered a welcome ray of hope in a  world awash in  pessimism."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee