New York, NY, January 22, 2008 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today strongly criticized the international community for its leveling a "torrent of condemnation" against Israel for its recent actions in Gaza, in contrast to the relative silence and inaction in response to the thousands of deadly rocket attacks launched against Israel.

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

We are stunned at the torrent of condemnation that has been aimed at Israel in recent days by the international community regarding Israel's defensive responses, in contrast to the relative silence and inaction to the thousands of deadly rocket attacks launched from Gaza against Israel.

For more than two years, Israel has been under attack from Hamas-led Gaza. Qassam rockets are launched hourly from Gaza into civilian centers in southern Israel, with the men, women and children of the city of Sderot bearing the brunt of casualties, damage and trauma.  Hamas has participated in and encouraged these attacks.

Where is the outrage from the international community in response to the rockets falling hourly on Sderot and other targets in southern Israel?  Why haven't the United Nations Security Council and Human Rights Council, so quick to come together to criticize Israel, condemned the Hamas-sponsored attacks against Israelis?   Why is there no resolution demanding the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas from an Israeli military base in June 2006?

The Government of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces have the right and obligation to protect Israeli citizens.  Over the past months, in face of this intensifying onslaught, they have attempted to do so through a variety of measures.  Sadly, none have succeeded in stopping the deadly rockets purposefully aimed at innocent civilians.  Certainly, Israel has shown greater restraint than other states would in the face of similar attacks. 

As the international community well knows, Hamas is a terrorist organization which calls for the violent eradication of the State of Israel.  There is no doubt that it is Hamas' extremism and refusal to meet the minimum standards of civilized and responsible governance that are the cause of the political and economic isolation that has caused much suffering among the people of Gaza.

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.