PA (Palestinian Authority) leaders are releasing statements condemning the ongoing IDF operation to locate and rescue the Jewish youths abducted by Hamas terrorists from Gush Etzion.

The operation has resulted in a closure on PA residents in the greater Hebron and S. Hebron Hills areas. A number of terrorists who resisted security forces have been shot and wounded and some killed.

Statements from the PA include condemnations and criticism of the operation but a condemnation of the actual kidnapping was not heard until midday Monday 18 Sivan, four days after the kidnapping. In fact, Ramallah remained silent and preferred not to condemn celebratory parades and the distribution of sweets on the streets of autonomous areas as residents celebrate the kidnapping of the teenagers.

Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) reports on Monday morning 18 Sivan that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has spoken with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), telling him “I expect you to act towards bringing the kidnapped youths back home and apprehending the kidnappers”.

Clearly Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is working to achieve political gain during this difficult time and he is seeking to bring the international community to the understanding that the PA’s decision to align with Hamas will only lead to increased terrorism. As the nation works and davens to bring the hostages home safely, the prime minister is seeking to gain support for his administration’s position, which is to boycott the new coalition PA government.

US Secretary of State John Kerry and other nations are unwilling to accept Israel’s position as they have indicated a willingness to work with the new Fatah/Hamas coalition government. Mr. Netanyahu hopes the current situation will persuade them to the justification of Israel’s position against Hamas.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday 18 Sivan 5774 spoke with PA Chairman Abu Mazen and told him, “I expect you to assist in returning the abducted youths and in apprehending the kidnappers. The Hamas kidnappers came from territory under Palestinian Authority control and returned to territory under Palestinian Authority control. This incident exposes the true face of the terrorism that we are fighting against. Terrorists abduct innocent Israeli children while we save the lives of ill Palestinian children in our hospitals. This is the difference between our humanitarian policy and the murderous terrorism that is attacking us.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu added, “The consequences of the partnership with Hamas must be understood; it is bad for Israel, bad for the Palestinians and bad for the region.”

The official condemnation from Abbas was released on Monday, condemning the terrorist kidnapping on day four of Operation Brothers Return. In the same breath the PA leader condemned the IDF operation and the growing number of arrests of Hamas members and leaders.

Names for Tehillim:

1. Yaakov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah

2. Gilad Michael ben Bat Galim

3. Eyal ben Iris Tesurah

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)