Jerusalem, May 8, 2006 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expresses grave concern over the inciteful statements made by Yisrael Beitenu head MK Avigdor Leiberman. In an address to the Knesset on May 4, Lieberman called for executing Arab legislators who met with Hamas leaders. He said he hoped they would meet the same fate as those who collaborated with the Nazis and who were condemned to death at the Nuremberg trials.

"While there is legitimate concern about Israelis meeting with the leadership of the Hamas terrorist organization, this does not justify Lieberman's horrendous and provocative call for their death. Neither is there justification for equating his political foes with the collaborators of the Nazis. Lieberman, in fact, displays an ignorant perversion of history since only Nazis were tried at Nuremberg, not collaborators.

But his dangerously inflammatory language has no place in Israel, particularly as a public leader speaking on the floor of the Knesset. Israeli leaders like Lieberman who are looked upon as role models should refrain from such generalizations and defaming speech.

Furthermore, the ADL deplores the increasing number of political statements that denigrate the evil Nazi regime.

The ADL once again calls upon the nation's political leaders to act civilly and responsibly toward all and refrain from using hate-provoking rhetoric. It is precisely because they are in a position of responsibility that MKs should set an example to the rest of the nation and refrain from using any comparisons with the Nazis."

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.