Anti-Defamation League

Christian Century, March 27, 2002

* The Anti-Defamation League has accepted the apology of Billy Graham, who was recorded 30 years ago telling President Nixon that Jews had a "stranglehold" on American media. In a second apology issued March 16, the 83-year-old evangelist repudiated his comments and rejected anti-Semitism and racial prejudice.

"We accept the apology of Reverend Billy Graham," said Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Jewish organization. "These words, unlike his previous words uttered 30 years ago, are full of sadness and repentance." In a previous statement, Foxman had called Graham's comments "chilling" and "shameful."