New York, N.Y., June 18, 2002 ... In response to AOL-Time Warner Vice Chairman Ted Turner's comments justifying Palestinian suicide bombers, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today said it was "tragically ironic," that he excused "the very violent acts that prevent a more secure future for Israelis and Palestinians," on a day when a Hamas suicide bomber took the lives of 19 innocent Israelis on their way to school and work.

In an interview published today in London's Guardian newspaper, Mr. Turner accused Israel of engaging in "terrorism" against the Palestinians and called suicide bombers "all they [the Palestinians] have."

In a letter to Mr. Turner, Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said:

It was tragically ironic that your statements in the Guardian justifying Palestinian terrorism and accusing Israel itself of engaging in terrorism, appeared on the same day that a Palestinian terrorist blew up a Jerusalem bus, killing at least 19 Israelis, many of them young students on their way to school.

Mr. Turner, the use of terrorism can never be justified. Indeed, by your equation, the September 11 attacks were legitimate since the nineteen perpetrators had no other tools at their disposal in their "battle" against the United States.

Palestinian terrorists willfully aim to kill as many people as possible, deliberately targeting busy intersections, shopping districts and bus routes in population centers. The goal of these wanton, premeditated acts of murder is to eradicate the State of Israel. To compare such acts to the Israeli army's defensive operations which target those engaged in violence and terrorism is offensive. While there have been tragic Palestinian civilian casualties during Israeli operations, these incidents were in no way deliberate.

Mr. Turner, we would have hoped that you would use your position and visibility to speak out against Palestinian terrorism and violence, and to urge the resumption of negotiations. Unfortunately, your comments served only to excuse the very violent acts that prevent a more secure future for Israelis and Palestinians.

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.