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Itongadol.- President Shimon Peres promised the parents of the three kidnapped Israeli teenagers on Thursday that he would bring greater attention to their cause during his upcoming trip to the United States.
The president hosted the families at his official residence in Jerusalem on Thursday. There were warm embraces as Peres inquired as to how they were coping with their traumatic ordeal.
“I asked to see you because what is happening now is a national event, not just a family affair,” Peres told them. “The entire nation is united as one, and it is standing by our side and praying with you for the return of the boys home while the IDF and the security forces comb the alleyways of Hebron day and night and are turning over every stone in hopes of finding the boys.”
“There is no, nor will there ever be, any limitation on the security services as they carry out their mission to find the boys and bring them home,” the president said.
Peres also commented on the perceived indifference of global leaders to the kidnapping. “World leaders must raise their voice loudly and clearly and deal with terrorism with an iron fist,” the president said. “Terrorism isn’t just the State of Israel’s problem, but it’s a global problem as well. So that is why we need to enlist global support.”
Next week, Peres is scheduled to visit the United States.
“During my conversations with President [Barack] Obama and the heads of Congress, I intend to echo the cries of our country against terrorism both in private and in public,” he said. “This is my personal mission. We must continue to ratchet up pressure against terrorism and dry up terror funding, since terrorist operations cost a great deal of money. Just as sanctions were imposed on Iran, there need to be sanctions against terrorism, whether it’s Hamas or Hezbollah. They need to be punished. There is no room for forgiveness or mercy.”
During their 90-minute discussion with the president, the parents of Eyal Yifrah, Naftali Fraenkel and Gil-Ad Shaer spoke of their sons and their hobbies, goals, and desires.
“We are very moved to be here,” said Ofir Shaer, Gil-Ad’s father. “We thank the president for his involvement in trying to save our sons. His invitation to his official residence is yet another layer of genuine, sincere support that we have received in recent days from everyone, irrespective of their political affiliation, religion, and ethnicity.”