New York, NY, April 18, 2002 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed concern with U.N. envoy to the Middle East Terje Roed-Larsen's one-sided comments about conditions in the Jenin refugee camp without reference to Jenin's use as a base for anti-Israel terrorist planning and operations.

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

Unfortunately, Mr. Roed-Larsen's one-sided comments contain no reference to Jenin's use as a planning and operations base by terrorists striking at Israeli targets, nor to the fierce battles necessitated by the armed offensive by Palestinians in these locations.

Israel is doing all it can to improve conditions in Jenin. However, the Israeli Army needed to ensure that the area was safe and that all threats from snipers and booby traps were removed before full access to aid agencies could be granted.

Israel's operation in the area was aimed at these terrorist bases, not at civilians. To date, 23 suicide attackers have come out of Jenin, products of its terror industry - housing command centers, explosives laboratories and arms caches in the heart of the densely populated refugee camp. The Palestinian Authority did nothing to impede the operations of the Jenin-based terrorists.

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.