New York, NY, July 12, 2006 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed its continued and steadfast solidarity with Israel as it responds to unprovoked attacks on its northern and southern borders by terrorist groups.

ADL supports Israel's labeling the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah near the Lebanese border as "an act of war" and called on the Lebanese Government and Hezbollah to immediately release the two Israeli soldiers.

The League also urged the international community to step up their efforts to help free the Israeli servicemen being held in Lebanon and Gaza and to demand the end of rocket attacks against Israeli civilians.   

Barbara B. Balser, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

As it faces unprovoked attacks from the north and the south by terrorist groups, Israel has no choice but to respond strongly.  Today's kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah near the Lebanese border as well as the ongoing rocket attacks against civilian centers by the terrorist organizations Hezbollah and Hamas should be seen as an act of war against Israel.  These organizations, and their backers in Damascus and Tehran, have made it abundantly clear that they have no intention of peaceful coexistence with the State of Israel.

 

The Lebanese Government and Hezbollah must immediately release the two Israeli soldiers and the international community must step up its efforts to help free the three Israeli servicemen held in Lebanon and Gaza and demand the end of rocket attacks against Israeli civilians.

 

We stand in steadfast solidarity and support with the State of Israel as it acts to protect its civilians in the north and the south, and to free kidnapped soldiers in Gaza and Lebanon.