State Department still opposed to new Anti-Semitism Act

The US State Department on Wednesday reiterated its opposition to legislation passed by the United States Congress last weekend requiring documentation of attacks on Jews around the world. The legislation would also set up an office in the department to counter anti-Semitism. "If it becomes law we will implement it," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told the press. But he said the legislation was unnecessary and that "separate reports on different religions or ethnicities were not warranted" because the department already issues reports on human rights and religious freedom. "The issue of anti-Semitism is something that has been important to us, we have been active and it's adequately covered by our efforts and by all the other reports that we do," Boucher said. Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League voice its support for the legislation as it was providing "an additional tool for the United States to continue its leadership effort to hold governments accountable for past failures and to encourage and note progress."