New York, NY, August 12, 2008 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus' strong condemnation of an attack on the Vilnius Jewish community center, and praised him for sending a clear message that bigotry, hatred and anti-Semitism have no place in Lithuania.

During Tisha B'Av, a traditional Jewish day of mourning, vandals covered the community center in Vilnius with swastikas, depictions of concentration camps, and calls for Jews to leave Lithuania.

"Statements by government officials and civic leaders are an essential first step in the ongoing battle against bias, prejudice and intolerance," said Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "President Adamkus' recognition of the serious consequences to Lithuanian democracy which result from the attacks on the Jewish community of Lithuania sent a clear message that there is no place for bigotry, hatred and anti-Semitism in Lithuania."

In a letter to President Adamkus, the League said "it is particularly important that you called on members of law enforcement and state prosecutors to act quickly to bring to justice the perpetrators of these hateful crimes."

The ADL leaders also said they were encouraged by a report that a participant in a parade earlier this year, during which calls were made for Jews to leave the country, will be prosecuted for incitement to hatred.