Kerry points to Hamas role in Israelis' kidnapping

[Mosby]

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry condemned Sunday the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank, adding that “many indications point to Hamas’ involvement.”

In a statement to the press, Kerry called for the immediate release of the three victims, who went missing Thursday from the Gush Etzion cluster of settlements, and stated that the United States is still “seeking details on the parties responsible."

Kerry stated that the United States views Hamas as a terrorist organization that carries out attacks against innocents, and that has employed kidnapping as a tactic in the past. "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,” said Kerry, adding “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families. We hope for their quick and safe return home.”

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.598941

[delrem]

1. "many indications" = "Netanyahu says so"

[Scootaloo]

2. Pretty much, given another organization has taken the "credit."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2657209/Israel-scours-West-Bank-teens-feared-abducted.html

An Islamic extremist group called Dawlat al-Islam has reportedly claimed responsibility for the alleged kidnappings of three teenagers who went missing from settlements on the West Bank on Friday.

The organization, linked to ISIS, distributed pamphlets about the kidnappings in Hebron, Haaretz reported. Israel security services are investigating the claims.

ISIS are the group of bloody-thirsty jihadists behind this week's Iraq insurgency.

[delrem]

3. Well, don't worry. The USA isn't arming ISIS. Saudi Arabia is.

[Cali_Democrat]

7. Welcome back, Scootaloo

Believe it or not, I actually missed you.

Now behave yourself!

[Mosby]

4. Palestinians Praise Kidnapping of 3 Israeli Teenagers

On Thursday night, Hamas terrorists kidnapped three Israeli teenagers in Judea and Samaria. For more than two days, IDF forces have conducted a widespread operation in order to locate the teens. Meanwhile, Palestinians have been voicing their support for the kidnapping and calling for further abductions.

Soon after Thursday’s kidnapping, terrorist organizations praised the attack and urged Palestinians in Judea and Samaria to hamper the IDF’s efforts to locate the boys. Senior Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad officials have called for the kidnapping of more Israelis, with the insidious intention of trading them for convicted terrorists.

Upon hearing of the abduction, Palestinians handed out candy in the streets and posted messages lauding the incident on social media sites. On Friday, Palestinians initiated a Facebook campaign expressing support for the terrorist kidnapping. Dozens changed their Facebook profiles, posting pictures of three fingers meant to represent the abducted teens. Meanwhile, comics featuring slogans such as #Three_”GiladShalits” and “Hebron_Uprising” began spreading over the internet.

http://www.idfblog.com/2014/06/15/palestinians-praise-kidnapping-3-israeli-teenagers/

[Mosby]

5. PA supports "kidnap-for-hostage" strategy

Two days ago, three Israeli youths were kidnapped by a terror organization when they were catching a ride. At the moment of writing, the boys have still not been found.

Despite the Palestinian Authority's alleged commitment to distance itself from terror, the PA continues to glorify terrorism and promote kidnapping Israelis as hostages. Palestinian Media Watch has documented the PA leadership's support for kidnapping Israelis expressed as recently as January 2014. The following are some examples:

PA leader Mahmoud Abbas, following the release of over 1,000 terrorist prisoners in 2011 in exchange for Hamas' hostage Gilad Shalit, called the kidnapping a "good thing":
"Hamas kidnapped a soldier, or captured a soldier, and managed to keep him for five years - that's a good thing, we don't deny it. On the contrary, it's good. Because in that small strip of 40 x 7 km [Gaza], they managed to guard him and hide him - that's a good thing."


http://www.palwatch.org/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=11704

[Scootaloo]

9. Oh goody, Itmar Marcus

That's bound to elevate the discourse and enlighten the masses.

[JI7]

6. Israel detains scores in West Bank as fears grow for missing teenagers

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/15/israel-west-bank-missing-teenagers

i hope the boys are ok and will be found soon. do we know for sure someone took them ? is there now way they could have gone somewhere else without people seeing ?

[Cali_Democrat]

8. How do we know it was Hamas?

The US shouldn't have weighed in on this IMO. I feel for the kidnapped kids, but the US weighing in on this is inappropriate.

[JI7]

10. i think because one of the kids is a United States Citizen