The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today strongly criticized the latest Amnesty International report on living conditions in the West Bank, saying that the report’s dismissal of the West Bank security fence as providing greater safety for the citizens of Israel “highlights the fundamental bias of the organization.”

Amnesty’s June 2007 report, “Enduring occupation: Palestinians under siege in the West Bank” fails to take into consideration the very factors that led to the restrictions placed on the movement of Palestinians, ADL said in a letter to Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

“The report fails to note that there would be no need for a security fence or restrictions placed on the movements of Palestinians, if the Hamas-led Palestinian administration abandoned its murderous policy of terrorism deliberately aimed at civilian targets in Israel,” said Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.

“Israel recognizes the need to balance security with freedom of movement for the Palestinians,” added Messrs. Lewy and Foxman.  “Indeed, Israel has moved the fence and has allowed more Palestinian workers into Israel.  However, until there is a complete cessation of violence on the part of the Palestinians, Israel must continue to impose restrictions on Palestinian movement.”

The Amnesty report dismisses Israel’s security needs and offers a one-sided assessment of the situation.  The ADL leaders said Amnesty International “has abandoned the course of objective, credible advocacy for the protection of all parties which is so essential to a constructive and lasting path to peace.”   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.