Boca Raton, FL, January 7, 2010 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is deeply disturbed by an alleged threat uttered yesterday evening by Mansor Mohammad Asad to kill Jews on a Detroit-bound flight from Miami.

Andrew Rosenkranz, ADL Florida Regional Director, issued the following statement:

We are deeply disturbed by the alleged anti-Semitic rant by Mansor Mohammad Asad.  Such comments point out the fact that anti-Semitism and hatred of Jews is still very much a part of society.  Unfortunately, we have seen how such hatred can be turned into actual violence, such as the shooting incident where a white extremist attacked the United States Holocaust Memorial and Museum in Washington, D.C., on June 10, 2009, resulting in the tragic death of a security officer, as well as other attacks on Jewish institutions.  Asad's tirade is a reminder of how such hateful word bullets can be turned into real bullets.

While it appears that Asad did not pose an actual terrorist threat to Jews or other passengers on the flight, any threat must be taken seriously, especially in light of the foiled terrorist attack on Christmas day on another Detroit-bound flight.  ADL commends local law enforcement for its swift action in responding to this anti-Semitic incident.

ADL serves as a resource to law enforcement regarding domestic extremism and terrorism.  While this particular incident has not been classified as a terrorist threat and currently there is no public information indicating that Asad is a Muslim extremist, ADL has found that an increasing number of homegrown American Muslim extremists have been involved in terrorist plots and conspiracies in the U.S. in which Jews or Jewish institutions have been targeted or been considered for attack since 9/11.

A comprehensive report entitled American Muslim Extremists: A Growing Threat to Jews and a list of American Muslim extremists that have been charged, convicted or sentenced on terrorism charges in 2009 entitled Criminal Proceedings in 2009 are resources available on ADL's Web site.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.