Press release

Foreign Secretary condemns abduction of Israeli teenagers

William Hague condemns abduction of Israeli youths and expresses concern at violence on the ground.

From:
Foreign & Commonwealth Office and The Rt Hon William Hague
Published
15 June 2014
This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Speaking after hearing of the abduction of three Israeli youths in the West Bank on 12 June, the Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

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.

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. The rockets fired indiscriminately from Gaza into Israel must stop; it is tragic that the Israeli airstrikes in response led to civilian injuries and the death of a child. I call on all parties to respect in full the November 2012 ceasefire.

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Published 15 June 2014