EFRAT, Israel (TNA) – Three Israelis have been missing since Thursday night, June 12. They have gone missing in the Gush Etzion area. Security forces have been conducting extensive searches to locate them. The three are young men in their late teens and early twenties.
The three are feared to have been abducted by terrorists.
Prayers for their safety are being conducted throughout the communities in Judea and Samaria.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu will convene a special meeting of security officials, including the police, IDF and Shabak, to discuss the latest developments.
He has spoken to the families of the three boys and has offered comforting words.
A government spokesman announced that the Government of Israel holds the Palestinian Authority responsible for the safety of the missing three Israelis.
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In New York, Robert G. Sugarman, Chairman, and Malcolm Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman, of Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations expressed deep concern for the three 16 year-old youths who went missing and are feared to have been kidnapped. “We pray for their safe return and urge everyone to include them in their prayers this Sabbath.” They expressed concern and solidarity in a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu and said that American Jewry stands together with the government and people of Israel, and particularly, the families of the three youths.
The leaders also said that the Palestinian Authority and the new “unity” government must act decisively to assist in finding the youths and those responsible.
“We are also deeply concerned and strongly condemn the increasing acts of violence against Jews, particularly in and around the Old City of Jerusalem. The attacks today against those praying at the Western Wall, the rioting on the Temple Mount, as well as assaults against those visiting graves at the ancient Mount of Olives cemetery, are totally unacceptable. The continuing incitement in the Palestinian media and textbooks and by government officials, contributes to the increased violence. We have spoken out strongly against the so-called “price tag” attacks. Now, we call for those responsible for these acts against Jewish individuals and institutions, those who aid or support them and those who encourage violence, to be brought to justice swiftly. Police reports show a significant increase in the number of assaults and terrorist acts, including several in recent hours. There can be no justification for, nor tolerance of, these actions,” said Sugarman and Hoenlein.
The American Jewish Committee also issued a statement: “AJC joins with Israelis in expressing deep concern for three youths missing in the West Bank. A full-scale search by Israeli security forces is underway amidst concerns that they may have been abducted by Palestinian terrorists. The three, one of whom is a U.S. citizen, are students at a yeshiva in Gush Etzion. The apparent kidnappings, combined with reports of celebrations among Palestinians across the West Bank, are outrageous, though not unexpected after last week’s announcement of a Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas,” said AJC Executive Director David Harris. “We pray that the three teens are safe, but, ultimately, the leaders of the Palestinian government, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, must be held accountable for any acts of violence. There can be no two ways about it.”
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Preceding provided by Tazpit News Agency, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and AJC.
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