Gary Fitleberg, November 23, 2004

A European umbrella group is about to name a special representative on anti-Semitism, and Spain will host the next conference on the topic.

A top Israeli official said the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which brings together 55 countries including the United States, will name three special representatives at a foreign ministers conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Dec. 5 -- one for anti-Semitism, one for Islamophobia and one for intolerance.

The appointment, and the pending U.S. establishment of an office to monitor international anti-Semitism, will reinforce efforts at the United Nations to combat the phenomenon, the senior official said.

In June, Spain will host back-to-back OSCE conferences on anti-Semitism and intolerance. Spain also will institute an annual Holocaust remembrance day, the official said.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg