J Street condemns in the strongest terms the kidnapping of three teenagers last week in the occupied West Bank. We further condemn those responsible for this act of terrorism with, as Secretary of State Kerry noted, “many indications pointing to the involvement of Hamas.”
We call for the immediate release of the teenagers.
We are pleased by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s denunciation of the kidnappings and his call on both sides to refrain from violence. We welcome the ongoing cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian security forces in the effort to find the teens and urge both parties to continue their coordination.
The focus now must be on saving the lives of Eyal Yifrah, Gil-Ad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel and returning them to their families. Every parent can identify with the suffering and anguish their loved ones are going through at this time and we pray for their safe return as soon as possible.