Pretoria - The South African government has condemned the kidnapping of three Israeli teens, and has added its voice to the mounting calls for the immediate release of the teenagers.
Naftali Frankel (16), Gilad Shaer (16) and Eyal Yifrah (19) went missing on 12 June in Gush Etzion in the West Bank. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that they had been kidnapped by Hamas. They were last seen in the Gush Etzion area, hitchhiking to their homes.
“South Africa condemns the kidnapping for whatever reason possible in the strongest possible terms, and more so if vulnerable groups such as children and women are involved.
“The South African government calls on the perpetrators of this heinous act to release the teenagers immediately and unharmed,” said International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson Clayson Monyela.
“The South African government reiterates its condemnation of all forms and manner of terrorism. South Africa believes that terrorism, in any form and from whichever quarter, cannot be condoned.
“The South African government also calls upon all parties involved to exercise restraint, including a halt to the arbitrary arrest of Palestinian citizens and the use of collective punishment of Palestinians and the disturbance of their social and economic rights.”
South Africa has urged both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to cooperate and focus on the recovery of the three teenagers.
Monyela said this unfortunate event should not be used to “cast aspersions on the legitimate existence of the Unity Government in Palestine, whose advent has been wholly welcomed by the members of the international community”.
Instead, this presented an opportunity for all the parties to recommit to the peace process and restart the negotiations.
“South Africa enjoys bilateral relations with Israel and Palestine, and will continue to monitor the unfolding developments with keen interest,” said Monyela. – SAnews.gov.za
