Federal authorities yesterday arrested two individuals associated with the Jewish Defense League in connection with an alleged plot to bomb an Arab American building and the office of a United States Congressman.

Harvey Blitz, president of the Union, which represents nearly 1,000 Orthodox Jewish synagogues throughout the country, and Rabbi Hershel Billet, president of the Rabbinical Council which represents more than 1,000 Orthodox rabbis, issued the following joint statement:

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and the Rabbinical Council of America, condemn in the strongest possible terms any act of terrorism or criminal violence against Arab American individuals or institutions, including, if true, the alleged plot involved in yesterday’s arrests.

There is no basis in Jewish tradition or practice that would legitimize terrorist bombings of innocent individuals, their homes, or their houses of worship. Terrorism is utterly alien to Jewish law and Jewish values.