New York, NY, October 2,1995 ...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed satisfaction with the guilty verdicts returned against ten Islamic extremists for conspiring to carry out a campaign of terrorism and assassination against New York City landmarks and officials.

David H. Strassler, ADL National Chairman, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

We applaud the convictions of Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and nine others for their intention to wage a war of urban terrorism in New York City to promote their extremist Islamic political agenda.

Along with the conviction in March 1994 of those responsible for the bombing of the World Trade Center, this verdict sends a clear message that the United States and its judicial system will not allow terrorists and extremists to operate with impunity. Indeed, the convictions strengthen U.S. leadership in the struggle against Islamic extremism and terrorism, not only domestically, but in the Middle East, Europe and Latin America.

The sweeping convictions demonstrate that through strong counterterrorism legislation and effective law enforcement the U.S. and the international community can deal with terrorism effectively. As advocates of the Comprehensive Antiterrorism Act of 1995, we will continue to press for its swift passage by the House of Representatives, following the Senate's action last June.

We are also gratified that this jury found El Sayyid Nosair guilty of the murder of Rabbi Meir Kahane, and that justice in this case has finally been served.

We commend the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Police Department for their stellar work uncovering this plot, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for successfully bringing those responsible to justice.

The ADL, through its Leon and Marilyn Klinghoffer Memorial Foundation and William and Naomi Gorowitz Institute on Terrorism and Extremism, works to combat the threat of terrorism though education, political and legal means.

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.