New York, NY, May 23, 2000…The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed strong solidarity with the State of Israel as it begins to move its troops from south Lebanon.

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

We express our strong solidarity with the State of Israel as it begins its pullback from south Lebanon. This was an extremely difficult decision for Israel and the issues raised by the withdrawal are complex. We continue to be concerned for Israel’s northern population, for continuing terrorist activity on the Lebanese-Israeli border, and for the conditions of Lebanese civilians and of Israel’s allies in south Lebanon. Already, Israeli civilians in northern Israel are under siege from Iranian and Syrian-supported Hezbollah forces that are rapidly taking over southern Lebanon.

Now that Israel has made this difficult move and is in full accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 425, we call on the international community to do its part. The international community must stand behind Israel and recognize that Israel has the fundamental right to protect its citizens. It must be made clear to Syria that its actions in Lebanon over the next period will be a test of the seriousness of its protestations that it is seeking peace with Israel. It must be made clear that the stability of Lebanon lies in Syrian hands.

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.