Jerusalem, September 9, 2004 ...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) strongly condemned the recent call by rabbis connected to West Bank and Gaza (YESHA) rabbinic councils and yeshivas urging the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) not to avoid harming Palestinian civilians in their fight against terror. 

ADL's Israel Office issued the following statement:

The citizens of Israel have for too long experienced cruel terrorist atrocities and daily threats that indeed must be dealt with forcefully.  However, we mourn along with the majority of Israelis the injury and loss of any and all innocent civilians during the course of battle, regardless of national identity or religion.  

As in the past when similar statements were made by some rabbis and religious leaders, we remind ourselves and take pride in the fact that the IDF takes great pains to minimize civilian loss of life —often at its own peril and many times with tragic results.  This is a military and moral doctrine that should make all Jews proud and earn the respect of all individuals and nations who value life.