New York, NY, June 21, 2002 … Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) issued the following statement in response to today’s warning that Jewish neighborhoods and synagogues could be the targets of a terrorist attack:

ADL and the Jewish community have always taken security awareness seriously. While we are very much concerned about the FBI warning about potential terrorist attacks involving fuel tankers, Jewish communities across the country already have strong security precautions in place. We are urging Jewish communities to remain calm, while ever vigilant and watchful.”

Threats against Jewish targets by Osama bin Laden and his terrorist cohorts are nothing new. Al Qaeda has made no secret that Jews and America are the enemies. Recently we learned that the perpetrators of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing originally planned to attack Jewish neighborhoods. These threats have never abated, and we will continue to exercise caution, just as we will continue to maintain our Jewish practices and customs, including wearing yarmulkes and taking pride in our religious identities and traditions.

We are grateful that the FBI and law enforcement take these threats seriously.

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.