Jerusalem, October 12, 2008 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today said it was gravely concerned over the recent riots between Arabs and Jews in the city of Acre in northern Israel.

ADL 's Israel Office issued the following statement:

There is a serious need to return the coexistence that prevailed in the city of Acre as quickly as possible in order to minimize the adverse effects of the unrest.

We laud those civic and religious leaders who have called publicly to calm the situation and have met to reconcile the underlying tensions. Likewise, the League condemns calls for boycotts by Jews against Arab merchants in the city.

ADL has rich experience in diversity education, specifically between Arabs and Jews in Israel and has material in both Arabic and Hebrew.

ADL's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute has provided anti-bias education and diversity training programs that explore the value of diversity, improve intergroup relations and combat racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of prejudice and bigotry.  The League has provided anti-bias training through Israel's Ministry of Education at schools in the Arab and Jewish sectors across the country as well as with the Border Police.

It is our hope that the unrest in Acre serves as a clarion call for officials to engage the resources available to them to help alleviate the disquiet between the two communities.

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.