Jerusalem, September 26, 2008 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the pipe bomb attack on a left-wing Israeli professor that police believe was perpetrated by Jewish extremists.

Holocaust survivor Prof. Zeev Sternhell, an expert on the history of fascism at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and outspoken critic of Jewish settlements in the territories, was lightly injured when the small bomb went off as he shut the front gate to his Jerusalem home.

ADL's Israel Office issued the following statement:

ADL condemns the targeting of Prof. Zeev Sternhell. While police are still investigating the source of this despicable attack against an Israeli peace activist, we are concerned by reports that Jewish extremists were behind the bombing.

Any act of violence against innocent civilians is an act of terrorism and should be forcibly condemned by all-law abiding citizens and public officials.

It is abhorrent that a person be physically targeted for their political views and this is a blow to democracy. ADL is confident that the Israel Police and Israel's security services will apprehend those who were behind the attack and that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

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.