New York, NY, May 9, 2011 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today condemned the latest round of violence against Egypt's Coptic Christians and urged the country's civilian and military leadership to take concrete and sustained steps to protect the Coptic community and its institutions.  A series of Muslim-Coptic clashes in Cairo over the weekend left at least 12 dead and hundreds more wounded.

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

Unfortunately, we have seen a troubling upsurge in the targeting of Coptic churches and communities in recent months. After each attack, government officials have promised greater security for the Coptic community, and yet the steps so-far taken have been insufficient or short-term.

 

In order to fulfill the promise of the Tahrir Square uprising, Egypt's interim government, and those aspiring to become Egypt's next leaders, must commit to taking concrete and sustained action to protect the Coptic community and its institutions.  The military can and should play an important role in providing for the safety and security of Egypt's Coptic community.