New York, NY, November 13, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) commended British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for his strong statements against Iran's nuclear weapons program and for calling for enhanced sanctions by the United Nations and the European Union of Iran's energy and financial sectors.  The Prime Minister's remarks came in a speech delivered at the Lord Mayor's banquet in London.

In a letter to Prime Minister Brown, ADL said that Iran's behavior over the past few years has demonstrated that it prefers to pursue its dangerous nuclear program rather than engage with the international community.

"Nuclear weapons in the hands of this increasingly radical and reckless regime would lead to a dangerous geo-strategic shift in the Middle East, potentially creating a nuclear arms race in the region," said Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "Britain's leadership in backing up this warning with strong world-wide sanctions is critical to forestall this looming international crisis."

In his speech, Prime Minister Brown said Iran "has a choice: confrontation with the international community leading to a tightening of sanctions, or, if it changes its approach and ends its support for terrorism, a transformed relationship with the world."

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.