By Aryeh Savir
JERUSALEM (TNA)–Prime Minister Netanyahu held a special Cabinet meeting Sunday morning June 15 at the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, during which he revealed that the Hamas terror group is behind the kidnapping of the three Israeli youth in Gush Etzion late Thursday night.
“This morning I can say what I was unable to say yesterday before the extensive wave of arrests of Hamas members in Judea and Samaria,” Netanyahu said at the cabinet meeting. “Those who perpetrated the abduction of our youths are members of Hamas – the same Hamas that Abu Mazen has made a unity government with; this has severe repercussions. We are currently focusing all of our efforts on bringing the abductees back home.”
Netanyahu also mentioned the families of the abducted teens in his Sunday morning statement. “Before coming here, I spoke again with the families, and I embrace and encourage them from here, from the Cabinet table, and I know that I speak for all parts of the nation.”
An unknown organization named Du’alat el Islam initially claimed responsibility for the abduction, but security officials gave it no credit.
The IDF rounded up last night some 80 members of Hamas, including leading members and PA Parliament members. Security forces were attacked by rioters during the arrests; they responded with crowd dispersion means. A full closure has been imposed on all of Judea and Samaria.
A large prayer vigil for the kidnapped teenagers was held Saturday evening, June 14, at the Wall:
In Washington, D.C., U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry issued the following statement: “The United States strongly condemns the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers and calls for their immediate release. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families. We hope for their quick and safe return home. We continue to offer our full support for Israel in its search for the missing teens, and we have encouraged full cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian security services. We understand that cooperation is ongoing. We are still seeking details on the parties responsible for this despicable terrorist act, although many indications point to Hamas’ involvement. As we gather this information, we reiterate our position that Hamas is a terrorist organization known for its attacks on innocent civilians and which has used kidnapping in the past.”
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In New York, The Jewish Council for Public Affairs condemned the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers last Thursday night, and offered prayers for their swift and safe return.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel – particularly the families of these kidnapped teenagers – in condemning this horrific abduction and praying for their swift and safe return,” said JCPA Chair Susan W. Turnbull. “The safety of our children, and we regard these Israeli teenagers as our own, is of paramount concern and we are devastated that once again they have become targets of terrorism. If, as Israel has claimed, Hamas is responsible for this heinous act, then, as per the recent unity agreement, the Palestinian Authority (PA) government must be accountable as well. We expect the PA to make every effort to work with Israel in reuniting these youths with their families and ending this nightmare.”
“The kidnapping of children is monstrous. It is a shock to our core,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow. “We completely support Israel’s immediate and strong response to this situation, both to rescue the teenagers and to locate and punish the perpetrators. Instead of joining in a unity agreement with terrorists, Palestinian leadership should be negotiating with Israel for peace.”
Barry Curtiss-Lusher, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement: ” Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the three young men apparently kidnapped with the involvement of Hamas, as the efforts by Israeli authorities continue to attempt to ensure their safe return. We echo Secretary Kerry’s statement that the Palestinian Authority must fully cooperate with Israeli authorities to assist in locating the Israeli teens. Their horrifying abduction and the resumption of rocket fire from Gaza into Southern Israel lay bare the dangers of legitimizing Hamas’ role in governing the Palestinians and present a stark choice for the Palestinian Authority leadership: Will they choose to continue on the path of aligning with forces promoting terror, violence and conflict? Or will they reject this hatred and return to the steps necessary for reconciliation and peace?”
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Aryeh Savir is a staff writer for the Tazpit News Agency in Israel. He may be contacted via en@tazpit.org.il Other material provided by the U.S. State Department, YouTube, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and the Anti-Defamation League.
I don’t think we should ever have let the terrorists go! The same for here in the us- these are not people who made an honest mistake, they are people with hate and ill intent in their hearts. Letting them go is just an invitation to do more harm- it’s not as if they appreciate it, they laugh at us. It’s unfortunate, and G-d forbid it happens to one of my sons, but we can’t negotiate with terrorists- ever. Releasing those 200 prisoners just gave them license to kidnap more people so they could “make more trades”. Please G-d, help the idf find these kids and get them back home safely without negotiations.