BICOM

Foreign Secretary William Hague and US Secretary of State John Kerry both voiced their strong condemnation of the West Bank kidnapping of three Israeli youngsters.

The three boys, Eyal Yifrah, 19, Gilad Shaer, 16 and Naftali Frenkel, 16, were snatched from the Gush Etzion area on Thursday night. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held emergency meetings with defence leaders over the weekend and told his cabinet yesterday, “These teenagers were kidnapped and the kidnapping was carried out by Hamas members.” US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the abduction as “a despicable terrorist attack” and added that, “many indications point to Hamas’s involvement.” Kerry emphasised, “we reiterate our position that Hamas is a terrorist organisation known for its attacks on innocent civilians and which has used kidnapping in the past.”

Meanwhile, Hague released a statement saying, “I strongly condemn the abduction of three Israeli youths in the West Bank. My thoughts are with their families and I hope for their safe return home soon. I appeal to those who are able to bring about their release to take urgent action to do so.” He added, “I am deeply concerned by the escalation in violence on the ground. For the sake of both Israelis and Palestinians, I hope further escalation can be avoided.”

Netanyahu also emphasised that Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas recently entered into a unity government backed by Hamas, which could have “serious repercussions.” Netanyahu explained, “Israel holds the Palestinian Authority and President Abbas responsible for any attacks against Israel that emanate from Palestinian-controlled territory.”

However, Communications Minister Gilad Erdan, who is also a member of Israel’s security cabinet, said that PA security forces were “willingly” helping with the Israeli search, a move criticised by Hamas according to Reuters. The kidnapping will shine a new spotlight on the viability of the PA as a security partner for Israel whilst it is at the same time coordinating with Hamas, a group which maintains its commitment to armed action against Israel.