Update: (December 19, 2007) ADL honored Hassan Askari, the Muslim student who came to the aid of the Jewish young adults, with its inaugural Stand-Up New Yorker Award.

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New York, NY, December 11, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applauded the New York City Police for the arrests of ten individuals suspected in a "vicious, unprovoked, and prolonged" anti-Semitic attack on four students riding the subway.  The students reportedly were wishing each other Happy Hanukkah on the night of December 7, when a group of men and women hurled anti-Semitic epithets and physically assaulted them.  The ten were arrested and charged with assault.

Joel J. Levy, ADL New York Regional Director, issued the following statement:

We were shocked and saddened to hear of the vicious, unprovoked and prolonged anti-Semitic attack perpetrated against four Jewish students celebrating Hanukkah. 

We applaud the speed and efficiency of the NYPD and its Hate Crimes Task Force in treating this bias incident seriously, and look forward to seeing the perpetrators prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

We recognize the courage of the fellow subway rider who attempted to defend the victims from their attackers.  It is heartening that there are good people who are willing to stand up when they witness racism, prejudice or bigotry.

ADL works closely with law enforcement and the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force in identifying and monitoring anti-Semitic incidents.

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.