Share
Email
PrintADL asks Spain to reverse competition decision
WASHINGTON (JTA) -- The Anti-Defamation League is asking the Spanish government to reverse its decision to disqualify Israeli researchers from an international competition in Madrid.
A team of researchers from Ariel University Center of Samaria were announced as finalists in the Solar Decathlon Europe, but the government of Spain disqualified them because the university is in the West Bank. A Spanish official told the Guardian newspaper that the country was following the policy of the European Union, "which does not recognize the occupation of the West Bank."
In a letter to Spanish Foreign Minister Angel Moratinos, the ADL said the claim that the participation of the Israeli team would violate EU policy was "spurious."
The ADL in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu called on the department to reconsider its sponsorship of the competition if Spain does not allow the Israeli team to participate.
The Solar Decathlon Europe was established through a joint agreement between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Spanish Ministry of Housing, and brings together teams competing to build a solar-powered house. The judging will occur in June.
Click to login and write a letter to the editor or sign up for the Daily Briefing.
This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.
Featured Content
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
- JFNA lauds Obama on charitable deduction backtrack
- Jewish groups offer mixed response on same-sex marriage ruling
- Calls grow in Congress to reconsider Egypt aid
- For traditional musicians, alternatives to the Friday night concert abound
- Israel grants Bedouin community its first solar field license
- Primary victories by Santorum underscore Romney’s woes with conservatives
- Best bet: Super Bowl winner donating long-shot’s payoff to charity
- Four charged with hate crimes in N.Y. assault
