West Orange, NJ, September 24, 2007 … A immense swastika cut into a cornfield in Washington Township, Mercer County "shows the persistence of anti-Semitism and hate," the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said today.  It is the third time a swastika has been cut into a cornfield in the rural New Jersey county.

"At a time when Jews around the world and in New Jersey are celebrating the High Holidays, we are confronted with this ugly symbol of hatred against Jews," said Etzion Neuer, ADL New Jersey Regional Director.  "Obviously, those responsible for this act were determined to deliver a message of hate on a massive scale. 

"Given the troubling recent history of swastikas carved in the fields, we hope that law enforcement will take their investigation seriously and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice," said Mr. Neuer.

The swastika, which is only visible from the air, was discovered last week by a New Jersey State Police helicopter on a routine maintenance mission.

ADL's annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents showed that New Jersey reported the second-highest number of incidents in the United States in 2006. A total of 244 incidents were reported across New Jersey in 2006, with 166 incidents of vandalism and 78 incidents of harassment.