Jerusalem, Israel, May 31, 2010…..The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today expressed support for Israel's response to the deliberate provocation by a flotilla of ships seeking to break the blockade of Hamas Controlled Gaza.

ADL called the use of humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza "an elaborate sham" and "a pretext for ambushing and violently attacking Israeli military personnel "who were seeking to redirect the ships to a port in Israel where the aid could be off-loaded and delivered to Gaza by established land routes.

Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement:

Once again those who are unilaterally opposed to Israel's legitimate right to defend herself against an enemy which seeks its destruction have cynically used the innocent people of Gaza to further their goals. Instead of accepting Israel's offer of a non-confrontational way to assure that the aid on the ships bound for Gaza reached those in need, the sponsors of the flotilla deliberately disregarded all requests and warnings issued by Israel and knowing they would be boarded, acted to lure the Israeli military onto the ships where many were waiting with weapons to attack them.

It is deeply disturbing that the leaders of the flotilla and their sponsors were willing to engage in an elaborate sham as a pretext for ambushing and violently attacking Israeli military personnel. This unconscionable act should be condemned by the leaders of every nation who truly seek peace in the region.

We regret the loss of life and express our sincere hopes for the full recovery of all who were injured, particularly those in the Israeli military who were acting to protect their nation against another assault by those who wish to do harm to Israel.

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.