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Itongadol.- President Shimon Peres boarded a flight to return to Israel on Sunday night, after concluding a state visit to the U.S., his final foreign trip before leaving office next month.
On Sunday, Peres met in New York City with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and called on the United Nations to act to free the three Israeli teens kidnapped in Gush Etzion by Hamas more than two weeks ago.
"The United Nations is an important organization which represents the world — it is your responsibility to cry out on behalf of the mothers of the kidnapped boys and call for their immediate release," Peres said.
Ban condemned the kidnapping, saying, "Under any circumstances or any reasons, this cannot be justified; it\’s totally unacceptable, and I\’ve condemned it in the strongest possible terms. And I\’m sending again my strong solidarity."
Peres also talked to the U.N. chief about the Gaza Strip.
"I know how much the situation in Gaza concerns you, but we must speak honestly — the one who is responsible for that is Hamas, which runs Gaza and leads to terror and poverty," Peres said. "We have a moral responsibility to condemn Hamas and fight against all terrorism."