State Dept., ADL slam attacks on Palestinians

The U.S. State Department and the Anti-Defamation League condemned a firebomb attack on Palestinians believed to have been carried out by settlers.

“We note that the Government of Israel has also condemned this heinous attack and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the State Department said in its statement Friday. “We look to Israeli law enforcement officials to do so expeditiously. We urge all parties to avoid any actions that could lead to an escalation of violence.”

Six Palestinians were injured when a taxi caught fire in a suspected firebombing near a West Bank Jewish settlement on Thursday.

Israeli police believe the fire was the result of a settler throwing a firebomb at the vehicle and said a second firebomb was located near the site of the attack, which took place near the Bat Ayin settlement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior security officials have condemned the attack and pledged to apprehend the perpetrators.

The ADL statement condemned the fire bomb attack as well as a mob assault on Palestinians in downtown western Jerusalem on Friday morning that left one seriously injured.

“If the attacks were carried out by Israeli Jewish youth, this violence cannot be seen as isolated incidents,” the ADL said in a statement. “Israeli leadership – political, religious, cultural – must come together to make clear that these manifestations of hate are unacceptable and will not be tolerated, and that country-wide social and educational initiatives must be considered.”