The Hamas Kidnapping of Three Israeli Teens

On Thursday night (12 June), three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped in the West Bank. Since then Israel has been engaged in an intensive operation to return Gilad Sha’er (16), Naftali Frenkel (16), who has dual Israeli-American citizenship, and Eyal Yifrah (19) to their families.

It is a known fact that The Palestinian terrorist organizations, foremost among them the extreme Islamist group Hamas, are committed to the destruction of Israel and to carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians.

The kidnapping validates Israel’s assessment that the pact between PA President Abbas and Hamas would strengthen Palestinian terrorist organizations, push peace further away and destabilize the area.

We regret that there are those in the international community who have said that President Abbas’ pact with Hamas would advance peace. They can now witness the true results of this union. It is clear that Hamas has exploited the pact to strengthen its presence in the West Bank, which has led to an increase in terrorist activity.

We hold the Palestinian Authority, headed by President Abbas, responsible for the fate of the kidnapped teens and for terrorist activity emanating from the areas under its control. The Palestinian Authority – from whose territory the kidnappers came – must do whatever is necessary to assist in bringing the teens home. The Fatah-Hamas pact has opened the door to wider Hamas activity in the West Bank and President Abbas cannot absolve himself of his responsibility.

The claim that the Palestinian Authority is not responsible because the attack occurred in an area under Israeli control is baseless. What is relevant is not where the attack took place, but where the attack originated. The Hamas perpetrators set out from territory controlled by the PA.

Instead of abiding by his international obligation to disarm Hamas, President Abbas has embraced Hamas, lending legitimacy to terrorism.

We pray for the wellbeing of the three boys and are doing our upmost that they will be returned to their families as soon as is humanely possible. (Press Release from the Embassy of Israel-Philippines)

Image Credit: newyork.cbslocal.com