Jerusalem, May 16, 2007 ... The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) called the murder of an Arab man, allegedly by a Jew, an "unspeakable act."

Police have said they believe the alleged murderer, Julian Soufir, a French immigrant, had knifed to death taxi driver Taysir Karaki in a premeditated, nationalistic murder in Tel Aviv this week just because he was an Arab.

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

We strongly condemn the murder of an Arab taxi driver in what appears to have been a premeditated hate crime allegedly perpetrated by a Jew. We are horrified by the actions of the perpetrator, and extend our sincere condolences to the family of the victim.  We are confident that justice will be served.

While we view this reprehensive attack as unspeakable, the ADL also warns against anyone seeking to use this incident as a pretext to carry out attacks on Jews here and abroad to avenge Karaki's death.

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.