New York, NY, July 20, 2006 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today strongly condemned the Spanish Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, for remarks made at a rally in the southern city of Alicante accusing Israel of using "abusive force" in its military operations.  Mr. Zapatero then posed for photos wearing a Palestinian scarf, or "keffiyeh", adorned with the Palestinian flag.

"Mr. Zapatero's comments are consistent with his government's determination to pin the blame on Israel for the current conflict, despite the fact that Israel is responding to unprovoked terrorist attacks," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "It is unfortunate that at a time when Israel is under attack on two fronts by Hamas and Hezbollah, the Spanish government would show a total lack of understanding for Israel's predicament.  The Spanish Prime Minister wears his anti-Israel bias on his sleeve."

Mr. Foxman had already written to Mr. Zapatero to protest earlier verbal attacks upon Israel. In a letter sent July 19, Mr. Foxman criticized the Spanish Prime Minister's contention that Israel's actions were fueling "radicalization and fanaticism" in the Middle East.

"It is precisely such radicalism and fanaticism which has led Hezbollah to engage in its unprovoked attacks upon Israel, a member state of the United Nations, by kidnapping its soldiers and launching deadly attacks against the Israeli civilian population," Mr. Foxman wrote.  "As you know, the elimination of the State of Israel is a core goal of both Hezbollah and Hamas."

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.