Community support for teenagers
The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council and the B’nai B’rith anti-Defamation Commission have joined in expressing hope for a quick and successful result in finding and rescuing the three teenagers kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists.
Dr Colin Rubenstein, the Executive Director of The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council said: “We are deeply concerned for the welfare of the three Israeli teenagers – Eyal Yifrah, Gil-Ad Shaer, and Naftali Frenkel who were kidnapped in the West Bank on June 12 by Palestinian terrorists, and call for their immediate release.
“Together with Israelis, and all people of good will, our thoughts and prayers are with the kidnapped boys and their families, and we hope for their safe and immediate return.
“We note that Israel and the United States suspect Hamas is behind the kidnapping, the same Hamas that recently formed a unity government with the Palestinian Authority, despite the fact that Hamas is a terrorist organization committed to Israel’s destruction and has killed hundreds of Israeli civilians in rocket and terrorist attacks.”
He concluded “It is deplorable that Hamas continues to call for the abduction of Israelis and is reported to have celebrated this latest kidnapping. This only underlines the extent to which the latest Fatah-Hamas unity agreement constitutes both a blow to peace hopes and a danger to security.”
The B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC) and B’nai B’rith Australia-New Zealand (BBANZ) have condemned the abduction of three Israeli youths by Palestinian terrorists.
Chairman of the ADC, Dr Dvir Abramovich and President of BBANZ Morris Tobias issued the following statement:
“This latest despicable outrage is a reminder that there are still Palestinian groups who will not give up on resorting to violence and terror, including the kidnapping of Israelis. We call on those responsible for this reprehensible act to immediately release the three teenagers so they are safely reunited with their families. At this time it is imperative that all of Israel’s friends, in particular the Australian government, urge President Abbas and the new Palestinian Authority to collaborate fully with the Israeli government and use all of their efforts to secure the unconditional release of the hostages. We express our strong solidarity with the State of Israel as it conducts operations to find the kidnapped young men and send our heartfelt prayers, thoughts and best wishes to the families.”