ADL Joins in Calls for Unconditional Release of South Korean Hostages Held in Afghanistan
Los Angeles, CA, August 2, 2007….As the crisis in Afghanistan enters its third week, the Anti-Defamation League calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the captive South Korean aid workers.
"ADL is outraged by these acts of cowardice and terror. Our thoughts and prayers are with the hostages and their families. We mourn for those who have lost their lives in this unspeakable tragedy. We stand in solidarity with the citizens of South Korea, the Korean American community, and the international community calling for the immediate release of the 21 remaining hostages," said Amanda Susskind, ADL Director, Pacific Southwest Region.
ADL works closely with the Korean American community in Los Angeles. "As Jews, who are targets of terrorism here and in Israel, we understand the frustration of standing by as innocent victims are taken hostage," Susskind said, referring to Israeli soldiers Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas on June 25, 2006, and Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who were kidnapped by Hezbollah on July 12, 2006.
In June, ADL launched the Asian Jewish Initiative. Its mission is "to advance alliances and partnerships between Asian and Jewish communities in Los Angeles through constructive dialogue and exploration of common ground; to empower and enrich both communities; and to foster a positive environment for open and frank discussion about topics of mutual concern." The Initiative includes outreach to and interaction among the communities served by the ADL, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Japanese American National Museum, Korean American Coalition and Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics.
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.
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