New York, NY, December 24, 2008 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on the international community to support the State of Israel as it confronts a bombardment of rockets launched by Hamas from Gaza into southern Israeli population centers.  As of this writing, more than 60 rockets and mortar shells have rained down on major civilian population centers in the southern Israeli cities of Ashkelon and Netivot.

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

With this latest renewal of rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and threats of a revival of suicide bombings inside Israel, Hamas has yet again made its true intentions abundantly clear, by resuming its provocative and malevolent terrorization of the residents of southern Israel.  Nearly four years after Hamas' political victory in the Palestinian parliamentary election, and 18 months after its violent takeover of Gaza, the international community can no longer ignore that Hamas remains what it has always been: a terrorist organization, steadfastly adhering to extremist ideology and dedicated to the violent eradication of the State of Israel.

Hamas' stubborn refusal to moderate its attitude and behavior toward Israel has created the humanitarian difficulties for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, effectively isolating its population.

The Government of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces have the right and obligation to protect Israeli citizens.  Over the past years, Israel has shown greater restraint than other states would in the face of similar attacks.  Today, as a torrent of rockets target Israeli civilians and Hamas threatens to restart its violent campaign of suicide terror inside Israel, the international community must stand behind Israel and support its efforts to defend its people against those who seek its destruction.

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.