Jerusalem, February 16, 2005 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is appalled and shocked by the extreme level of violence perpetrated by some members of the Druze community in the Galilee village of Maghar toward their Christian neighbors last week.

ADL's Israel Office issued the following statement:

As members of a community who unfortunately understand all too well how rumors can fuel violent frenzies which can quickly end in a loss of personal security, property damage and physical harm, we call upon civic and religious leaders of Maghar to publicly calm the situation by meeting together to devise strategies to cope with the serious and complex underlying tensions between the Druze and Christians in the town.

Clearly, the Ministry of Education, Israel Police and other governmental institutions have a serious and vital role to play in facilitating this process of reconciliation.  It is our hope that they see this incident as a clarion call and find the necessary resources available to help alleviate the disquiet in Maghar and other villages and towns which are confronting similar stresses.

An estimated 18,000 people live in Maghar. Druze comprise 50 percent of the population, 35 percent are Muslims and 15 percent are Christians.

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.