CMEP Issues Statement



Churches for Middle East Peace expresses its abhorrence and dismay at the news that the three Israeli students abducted on June 12 were found dead yesterday near Hebron in the West Bank. This is a horrific act for which there can be no excuse or rationale.



We also deplore the disproportionate response to the kidnappings by Israeli security forces that has contributed to the deaths of several Palestinian youths. This violence clearly is a symptom of a long conflict and occupation that must be resolved if more tragic losses are to be avoided.



We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint at this difficult time.







Responses by Church Leaders on the Deaths of Three Israeli Teenagers:

National Council of Churches

Washington, June 30, 2014 – Jim Winkler, President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, issued the following statement today in response to news of the deaths of three Israeli teenagers:



It is with a sense of deep sadness and loss that the National Council of Churches of Christ (NCC) receives the tragic news that the bodies of three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped on June 12 have been found just north of Hebron.



We grieve with their families, with the nation of Israel, and with people around the world upon learning Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Fraenkel are no longer with us. We pray for their families and all of their loved ones who even now are surely weeping.



The National Council of Churches of Christ remains steadfastly committed to working for a just and peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: "We pray no one else, not a single Israeli or Palestinian, will die in this struggle.”





World Council of Churches Pastoral Letter

On behalf of the World Council of Churches, I again express the sorrow we feel, a sorrow felt across national borders and differences in religion and culture, at the suffering and loss of life in Israel and Palestine. Our heartfelt prayers are with all who are affected by the tragedy that has got the attention of the whole world, and we continue to pray for the establishment of peace with justice for all.





Office of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Shares Thoughts of Fr. Federico Lombardi, Vatican Press Office

Speaking to journalists as news of the discovery made global headlines, the director of the Vatican Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, described the murder of Eyal Yifrah, 19, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Naftali Fraenkel, 16 as “a tragic and unacceptable crime”.

He said : ”The murder of innocent people is always an execrable and unacceptable crime and a serious obstacle on the path to peace for which we must continue to tirelessly work and pray. Violence calls more violence and feeds the deadly circle of hatred”.

Click Here for Statements from Governments and other Organizations

Further Reading

News broke Monday that the bodies of three Israel teenagers missing for most of the month were found buried in a field near the West Bank city of Hebron. The trio were reportedly abducted more than two weeks ago; their absence triggered one of the most extensive Israeli incursions into the West Bank in the past decade. Now, with the discovery of the bodies, the focus has shifted to how Israel will respond.





When our sympathy only reaches out to the children of one nation alone, we have condemned all of them to this atrocious cycle of violence.





"If the Arab youth was murdered because of nationalistic motives then this is a horrible and horrendous act. There is no difference between (Arab) blood and (Jewish) blood. Murder is murder. There is no forgiveness or justification for any murder."





Tens of thousands of Israelis arrived Tuesday at the Modiin cemetery for the funeral of the three Israeli teenagers whose murdered bodies were found on Monday. After roads were closed due to the masses of mourners, Israelis walked for miles to attend the funeral service for Gil-ad Shaer, Eyal Yifrach and Naftali Frenkel.



Netanyahu Weighs Options for Avenging Deaths of Kidnapped Teens [TIME]

Israeli Premier could go after the Hamas leadership, but analysts advocate targeting Gaza's missile stores





In response to the murder of the three Israeli teenagers kidnapped two weeks ago, the Israeli Air Force struck 34 targets in Gaza Tuesday night, while four rockets were fired into southern Israel from the Strip. In the West Bank, the Israeli army killed 16-year-old Yusef Abu Zaga in Jenin after entering the city to make arrests.





Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon proposed on Monday night that the government to respond to the killing of three Israeli settlers with a wave of settlement construction in the occupied Palestinian territories, including the establishment of a new settlement in their memory, a senior Israeli official told Haaretz newspaper.





The Maale Adumim settlement mayor Benny Kashriel arrived in the area demanding that Israeli authorities expand it into a “settlement neighborhood.”





Shortly after word of Mohammed Abu Khdeir’s murder spread, riots broke out around his home in the Shoafat neighborhood. The disturbances continued throughout the day, making it one of the most violent days Jerusalem has seen for many years.





Politicians decry murder as 'despicable', while Palestinian protesters hurl stones at security forces; Shuafat residents say teen's death was retribution to

kidnapping and murder of Israeli teens: 'We will sacrifice our lives for the Shahids.'





"I call on the Israeli government, first of all, to enforce the law. If it wants peace with the Palestinian people, Israel must mete out the strongest punishment against the murderers. Then they have to end the phenomenon of establishing settlements. These settlers are attacking the Palestinian people everyday, and they get protection from the government and the Israeli army. They should end the presence of settlers so then we can say that they truly want to make a gesture for peace," he said.



"Jews and Arabs will have to live in this land forever and that's why we have to repel together any attempt to harm our fragile relationship," [Opposition Leader MK Isaac] Herzog said. "The extremists on both sides are trying to drag us all into a circle of blood, but most of the Jewish and Arab societies disagree and want to live in peace."

What's Happening at CMEP?

Last Tuesday, June 24, we had a conference call with Tania Hary of Gisha a Israeli human rights organizat ion focuses on movement and access involving the Gaza Strip. One supporter said "It was most informative and I applaud her work and the work of Gisha. Thank you for making this available." To listen, click here .





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Statements by Governments and other Organizations Related to the Deaths of the Israeli Teens and Palestinian Teen

Statement by the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Robert Serry, on the murder of the three Israeli students in the West Bank



UNRWA Calls for Restraint as Violence Escalates in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Warns of Devastating Consequences for Civilians



Statement by the President of the United States on the Deaths of Naftali Fraenkel, Eyal Yifrach, and Gilad Shaar



Statements by Secretary of State, John Kerry:

Deaths of Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaar, and Eyal Yifrach

Abduction and Murder of Muhammad Hussein Abu Khdeir



Statements by Americans for Peace Now:

Press Release: APN Mourns Israeli Teens Murdered in the West Bank

Press Release: APN Condemns Killing of Palestinian Teen; Calls to Stop Incitement

Statements by J Street:

J Street mourns Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach

J Street mourns the death of Mohammed Abu Khudair



Statements by B’Tselem:

B'Tselem strongly condemns the abduction and killing of the three Yeshiva students

The government must refrain from acts of vengeance and security forces must prepare for possible acts of revenge by settlers



Statement from the Knesset:

Plenary session focuses on teens` murder; Speaker Edelstein notes strong condemnation from parliament heads worldwide



Statement from the Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Office:

PM Netanyahu Speaks with Public Security Minister Aharonovitch Regarding Death of Palestinian Teen

