New York, NY, December 4, 2001 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today commended President George W. Bush for his commitment to broaden the war against terrorism to include actions against terrorist organizations attacking Israel and their financial backers in the United States. The League said the action "reaffirms the administration's commitment to a war on terror that is truly of global reach."

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

We commend the Bush Administration for today's steps to freeze the assets of the Holy Land Foundation and other U.S.-based supporters of terrorist organizations operating against Israel, including Hamas. As President Bush so eloquently stated today, Hamas is among the deadliest terrorist groups in the world, an organization with international ties that seeks the destruction of the State of Israel. The coordinated Hamas suicide bombings, shootings and other deadly attacks of the last two weeks were designed to inflict as many civilian casualties as possible and amply demonstrate the lethal capability of this organization.

With today's actions, President Bush has reaffirmed the administration's commitment to a war on terror that is truly of global reach. The President has shown an understanding that Hamas is a terrorist organization that poses a serious threat to Western values. As an organization that is as potentially dangerous as Osama bin Laden and the Al Qaeda network, Hamas should not be able to profit from funds legally or illegally obtained in the U.S.

The U.S. continues to send a strong message to terrorists around the world that there can be no sanction or excuse for violence against innocent civilians. The Bush Administration likewise has taken steps toward finally ending all funding sources for terrorism, using all federal resources available under the Justice and Treasury Departments. We will continue to give our full support to President Bush and the administration's efforts to end the terrorism menace.

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.