New York, NY, May 29, 2002 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today issued an in-depth report on world reaction to Operation Defensive Shield, the recent Israeli Army offensive against terrorism in the West Bank.

Anatomy of Anti-Israel Incitement: Jenin, World Opinion and the Massacre That Wasn't

Citing a wide variety of sources, the report details how international organizations, non-governmental agencies, foreign governments and the media prematurely attacked Israel for committing atrocities in the course of military operations in the Jenin refugee camp in April 2002.

"Without any facts or evidence about what transpired in Jenin, international organizations, European governments, the United Nations and some in the media rushed to condemn Israel and accuse its army of a 'massacre' that, as it turned out, simply did not exist," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. "After evidence came forth demonstrating that the initial opinions were wrong, the voices that had zealously condemned Israel fell silent. We are waiting for them to set the record on Jenin straight."

The ADL report, Anatomy of Anti-Israel Incitement: Jenin, World Opinion and the Massacre That Wasn't surveys world reaction to the conflict as it unfolded through April, showing reactions from a host of international organizations, the United Nations and the European Union. The report establishes facts of the battle and provides Israeli perspectives showing how Israel's actions were justified under international law. The full report is available on the League's Web site at www.adl.org. Key sections include:

• In Their Own Words: Palestinian Statements
• The Rush to Condemn Israel
• The United States: Restraint in the Face of Allegations
• The Media: Failure to Provide Context and Balance
• What Really Happened in Jenin
• The Legal Basis for Operation Defensive Shield
• The Lessons of Jenin: The Need for Context and Balance
• The Role of Anti-Semitism

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.