Senator Charles Schumer
The bodies of three teenagers kidnapped in Israel 18 days ago were discovered today. They are: Naftali Fraenkel, 16, an American-Israeli citizen; his friend Gilad Shaar, also 16; and Eyal Yifrach, 19. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer released the following statement:
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of each of these young men – Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel – who were taken from us far too soon. After these young men first went missing, their photos surfaced, and I know so many of us saw a little bit of our own children in each of them. To think that such a callous act could be done to these innocent young men is unconscionable. May their memory be a blessing.
“It’s quite clear this was done by Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority made a terrible mistake by linking up with terrorists. When you associate with terrorists they become emboldened in their actions, like schoolyard bullies. In light of this tragedy and these new troubling revelations, the Palestinian Authority should break ties with Hamas immediately. And if they do not act independently, our government should put pressure on the Palestinian Authority to break from Hamas, even if it means stopping all funding to this coalition.”
