TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Gov. James E. McGreevey has called for the resignation of the state's poet laureate, citing a poem critical of Israel that Amiri Baraka read at a festival earlier this month.

Baraka read his poem, "Somebody Blew Up America," at the 2002 Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival at Waterloo Village in Stanhope on Sept. 19.

"Who knew the World Trade Center was gonna get bombed," read a line from the poem, which was cited by the Jewish Standard weekly newspaper. "Who told 4,000 Israeli workers at the Twin Towers to stay home that day? Why did Sharon stay away?"

Some Jewish groups have characterized the poem as anti-Semitic.

McGreevey spokesman Kevin Davitt said the governor strongly condemns any racist or anti-Semitic behavior.

"The language used in Mr. Baraka's recent poem could be interpreted as stating that Israelis were forewarned of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Mr. Baraka should clarify the intent of his language, apologize for any potential misinterpretation of his language, and resign," Davitt said.

Baraka said he had no intention of apologizing or resigning. He strongly rejected the criticism, denied he is an anti-Semite, and said that criticism of Israel does not amount to anti-Semitism.

Baraka said the poem also addressed Israeli policy toward Palestinians that he believes helped fuel anti-American sentiment among Arabs, a sentiment shared by some Jews.

In no way did he mean to imply that Israel was responsible for the attack, directly or indirectly, he said.

"First of all, Israel and Judaism are not the same, and to hide behind Judaism every time someone criticizes Israel is a charade," Baraka said. "Anything that I said in that poem can be referenced."

Shai Goldstein, New Jersey regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, spoke with McGreevey on Friday. He said in a letter to the governor that his organization was pleased McGreevey had called for Baraka's resignation.

The poet laureate position was created in 1999 and pays $10,000 per two-year term.

A recommendation to name Baraka as poet laureate earlier this year came from the New Jersey Council for the Humanities, in consultation with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Davitt said the title of poet laureate and the grant money cannot be rescinded, and the decision to resign is entirely up to Baraka.