New York, NY, January 12, 2016 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today strongly condemned the desecration of graves in a Catholic cemetery near the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh. Over the weekend, the Latin Patriarchate announced that dozens of crosses had been destroyed in the cemetery at the Beit Jamal Monastery.
"We join the Latin Patriarchate in calling for a thorough investigation into this incident, leading to the bringing to justice of the perpetrators," said Rabbi David Fox Sandmel, ADL Director of Interfaith Affairs, and Carole Nuriel, Acting Director of ADL’s Israel Office. "While it is too early to know if this incident is a hate crime or 'price tag' attack, Israeli law enforcement and society must ensure that protection of religious sites and freedom of religion remain core values of society."