New York, NY, December 28, 2008 … In response to Israel's retaliatory attack on Hamas in Gaza, Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), issued the following statement:

Israel's attack on Hamas represents the most fundamental right and responsibility of any government to protect its people.

The circumstances behind Israel's military action are stark, including continuous Hamas rocket and artillery fire on Israeli civilians; the open commitment of Hamas to Israel's destruction; the huge Hamas buildup of more sophisticated weapons ultimately also targeted at Israeli civilians; and the holding of Israel soldier Gilad Shalit incommunicado for three years, against all rules of international behavior.  No government could act differently in the face of such challenges.

At the same time, despite the placement by Hamas of its terrorist infrastructure in the heart of its own civilian population, another violation of international law, Israel took great care to avoid civilian casualties. Undoubtedly, it will continue to do so.

This is an important moment in the struggle against Islamic extremism. The international community and all those who seek the rule of law, moderation and democracy should now stand with Israel, as the United States has done, in this effort to turn the tide against the extremists who not only threaten Israel, but the whole Middle East and the entire civilized world.

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.