New York, NY, July 27, 2006 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called on U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to retract his "shocking accusation" that the Israel Defense Forces engaged in the "apparent deliberate targeting" of four U.N. military observers tragically killed July 25 during in an Israeli bombardment of Hezbollah positions in south Lebanon.

"Your rush to judgment against a democratic country besieged on two fronts by terrorist organizations is certainly not befitting your position as head of the United Nations," the League said in a letter to the Secretary General.

The following is the text of the letter to Mr. Annan from Barbara B. Balser, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director:

We extend our sincerest condolences on Tuesday's tragic deaths of United Nations military observers in Southern Lebanon.

We are deeply troubled that immediately following the deaths, you issued a statement accusing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of the "apparent deliberate targeting" of the U.N. observers.
 
Mr. Secretary General, it is particularly surprising that you would prejudge events and make this shocking accusation before a thorough investigation has been conducted.  It is all the more troubling because this is not the way the State of Israel conducts itself.
 
Your rush to judgment against a democratic country besieged on two fronts by terrorist organizations is certainly not befitting your position as head of the United Nations. 
 
Although it has been reported that you have accepted Prime Minister Olmert's expressions of deep sorrow for the "accidental killing," we respectfully, but strongly urge you to immediately retract your initial statement.

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.