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