On Thursday, June 12, 2014, three Students attempting to hitchhike home from from school were kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists. It is the responsibility of the United States Government to ensure the safe and timely return of it's citizen and son, Naftali Frenkel, aged 16. We demand that President Barack Obama and his administration use all means necessary to assist the Israeli Government in their efforts to locate these captive children in line with their strict stance of "No Boy will be left behind".
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/demand-release-16-year-old-american-student-naftali-frenkel-kidnappers-palestinian-terrorists/Qy2N4R2H
Showing posts with label Bring Back Our Boys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bring Back Our Boys. Show all posts
Monday, June 30, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Israel Matzav: Terror victim's mother blasts Obama's silence on kidnappings
Sherri Mandell, the mother of terror victim Koby Mandell HY"D (May God Avenge his blood) has blasted President Hussein Obama for his silence on the kidnapping two weeks ago of three Israeli teenagers. I received this by email from Jack W.
Sherri Mandell ~ "Say Something."Then again, I think we can do without Michelle holding any stupid signs....
I would like to know why President Barack Obama has still failed to publicly condemn the kidnapping of Naftali Frenkel here in Israel, who is both an Israeli and American citizen. Two weeks ago, Naftali, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach were kidnapped by terrorists on their way home from school. There has not been any word from them since. I would like to know why President Obama and the First Lady don’t say that Naftali and the other two boys are like their children, as they said about the girls who were kidnapped in Nigeria. Michelle Obama said she was outraged and heartbroken about those girls. I would like to know why the President and First Lady have made no public statements at all about our boys, and especially about Naftali, an American citizen.
After my 13 year old son Koby, also an American citizen, was killed by terrorists in 2001, a law was introduced in Congress called the Koby Mandell Act. It later passed as an omnibus rider (my son’s name was erased), which opened an office in the Department of Justice called the Office of Justice for the Victims of Overseas Terrorism (OVT). The office’s mandate was to actively pursue terrorists who murdered Americans abroad.
At about the same time, the government initiated a Rewards for Justice Program to pay for information leading to the arrest of overseas terrorists. Yet, no terrorist killers of Americans in Israel have ever been apprehended under that program. In fact, today when I checked the Rewards for Justice website, there was not even a listing for my son’s name. His murderers have not been found, yet the Justice Department has seemingly deleted him from their consciousness. They are not looking for his killers. In fact, according to their list of atrocities, no Koby Mandell was ever killed in Israel by terrorists. They have closed his case, if it was ever opened. And if you search the Office of Victims of Overseas Terrorism, you will not find his name either, except in reference to the first version of the law.
Yet the Koby Mandell Act promised that the US government would vigorously pursue the killers of American citizens, including those killed in Israel. So far, not one of them has been brought to justice with the help of the American government.
The OVT’s primary responsibilities are to work to ensure that when Americans are injured or killed in terrorist attacks overseas, investigations and prosecution remain a high priority. Another responsibility is to honor and respect the rights of victims and their families. The office is also meant to monitor the investigation and prosecution of terrorist attacks against Americans aboard.
With these lofty goals, you would think that there would be a picture or at least a mention of Naftali on the website. Or a mention of Koby. Or of the many Americans citizens killed by Palestinian terrorists in Israel. But when it comes to Americans who are the victims of Palestinian terrorism, the Justice Department, like the President remains silent.
Please write to the President at whitehouse.gov and demand that he make a statement about Naftali and the other two boys. Ask him why the Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism is silent.
Ask the President simply…to say something.
Friday, June 27, 2014
#BringBackOurBoys
Please please please have the boys in your prayers…
ושבו בנים לגבולם!
Yaakov Naftali ben Rachel Devorah
Gilad Michael ben Bat Galim
Eyal ben Iris Teshura
The Sameach Choir - Sunday 22nd June 2014 - Manchester
The Sameach Choir singing 'Acheinu Kol Beis Yisroel' at an event in Manchester with a song for the 3 kidnapped Yeshiva boys in Israel.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Israel Names 2 Hamas Suspects in Teens’ Kidnap Both Hamas men have previously served time in Israel jails. Both are missing from their Hevron homes.
Marwan Kawasmeh and Amar Abu Aisha from Hebron are believed to be the Hamas terrorists involved in kidnapping Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frankel.
The Shin Bet has cleared for publication that it suspects Hamas Hevron terrorists Amer Abu Aisha and Marwan Kawasmeh played pivotal roles in the kidnapping of three Israeli teens.
Eyal Yifrach, 19, Naftali Frenkel, 16 and Gilad Sha’ar, 16, were kidnapped while hitchhiking home from yeshiva in Gush Etzion on June 12.
Security forces from the Shin Bet and IDF have worked together in Operation Brother’s Keeper to hunt for Kawasmeh, 29, and Abu Aisha, 32, almost since the night the boys were kidnapped, according to the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet).
“Since then, the Shin Bet and IDF have conducted a wide-scale search aimed at capturing the wanted suspects. The first aim is to track down the location of the abducted youths,” the Shin Bet said in a statement released to media Thursday night.
Both previously have served time in Israeli prisons, and both are missing from their homes.
Kawasmeh, a barber, has in the past been detained both by Israel and the Palestinian Authority forces, according to Times of Israel. His uncle, Abdullah Kawasmeh, served as commander of the Hamas military wing in Hevron until he was killed in a clash with Israeli security forces in November 2003.
Kawasmeh himself was first arrested and convicted at age 18, serving a 10 month prison sentence for Hamas-related terror activity. He was subsequently arrested four more times, and held under administrative detention at least twice. In 2010 he confessed under interrogation to being recruited a year earlier by the Hevron regional Hamas military wing. He participated in military training in local caves, learning how to find raw materials to assemble bombs. He also took part in recruiting other Palestinian Authority youths to Hamas. He was again convicted and sent to prison, where he served time until March 2012. His four brothers, all associated with Hamas, were arrested the day after the boys were kidnapped, as was his wife — who was released 24 hours later.
Abu Aisha, a locksmith who is married with three children, was first arrested in November 2005 at age 24, at about the same time his brother Zaid, also a Hamas terrorist, was killed while trying to throw an explosive at IDF soldiers. Abu Aisha was placed under administrative detention until the following June, then freed until he was re-arrested in April 2007, when he spent several weeks in custody again. In addition, Abu Aisha’s father Omar was arrested and convicted by Israel, serving prison time a number of times for Hamas terrorist activity as well, according to the Times of Israel.
Security personnel have intensively interrogated the wives of both men in the Hares neighborhood where they both live, according to Palestinian Authority media, but the report has not been confirmed by Israeli sources. Both men reportedly attend prayers together regularly at the same mosque, but neither has been seen since the night of the kidnapping.
Other suspects connected with the two and who are also suspected as accessories in the operation have already been arrested as well, counter-terrorism officials said.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Governor Huckabee in Israel with #BringBackOurBoys sign for #EyalGiladNaftali
JERUSALEM – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee is currently on a week long visit in Israel on what has been defined as a fact-finding tour, focused on the challenges facing Israelis in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, as well as the threat of anti-Israel delegitimization efforts such as the BDS movement.
Huckabee, immediately after landing in Israel, went directly to the home of Avi and Rachel Frenkel, parents of Naftali, one of the abducted teens, an American citizen. “I went to offer support, to give them strength,” Huckabee told reporters Tuesday (Jun. 24) morning, “and I went away with them giving me strength. They are a remarkable family, a family of faith, and their faith gives them a real sense of optimism.”
Huckabee was asked how he would act in regards to the current abductees’ crisis in Israel if he were president. “Naftali Frenkel is an American citizen. Because he is a citizen we have not only an emotional response but a constitutional duty to ensure that the whole world understands that this takes it to a new level for the US. You kidnap an American citizen; now all bets are off. You hurt that kid and you don’t want to know what the results would be. One of the sides is a kidnapped child. The other is a kidnapper. The two sides here are good and evil. Evil kidnaps children. Good does all it can to get those children back and to punish anyone who would be a part of that.” Huckabee said he would offer all the resources and intelligence at his disposal and other forms of assistance as requested. He believes a clear message should have been conveyed in support of an abducted American citizen, a message the Obama administration failed to communicate.
He condemned the Palestinian Authority-Hamas unity government recently established, stating he was appalled by the union. “How can the US approve of, and work with a government that’s made up in part of a terrorist organization? We say we don’t negotiate with terrorists, we certainly shouldn’t fund them.” Huckabee believes the US should have cut off all funding to the PA after the unification. “It is beyond me to understand why there would not be worldwide condemnation. I think we see the worthlessness of the UN through all this that it’s remained incredibly silent.” He praised PM Netanyahu for his actions regarding the PA-Hamas unity government.
Huckabbe had very warm words for Israel, praising Israel’s advancement, development and technology, as well as its democracy and society which enable equality of rights for everyone.
His visit includes a stop at the Sodastream factory which has been the recent target of BDS activity. “It should be obvious to anyone that the company provides extraordinary opportunity not only for work but for social gatherings. It should be given national and international awards instead of being targeted by BDS, which is inexplicable to me.” He described BDS as an “irrational, anti-Semitic effort on the part of some organizations and nations.”
Regarding the Presbyterian Church’s decision to boycott companies providing services in Judea and Samaria, Huckabee shared that he was embarrassed by the decision, calling it absurd. “Who can possibly be behind such an absurd decision that has no basis in good policy, good economics, or good sense?” Huckabee, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, believes that this decision, together with other factors, is bringing to the decline of the Presbyterian Church.
One of the goals of his visit is to raise awareness regarding the three abducted boys in the US. During his visit on Monday with the two Chief Rabbis Huckabee stated: “It’s one thing if people hear that three Israeli soldiers have been kidnapped or captured. That gets our attention, but this hits our hearts very differently. When a person who is American hears this story, they don’t react as an American; they don’t react as a Zionist. I’m both, I react as a father.” Both chief rabbis thanked Huckabee for his efforts to bring knowledge of the present crisis to the American public.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
UN Watch Brings Mothers of Kidnapped Teens Before World Media
GENEVA, June 24, 2014 – Invited by Geneva-based human rights group UN Watch, Rachel Frankel, the mother of 16-year-old Israeli-American kidnap victim Naftali Frankel, who was one of three boys abducted on June 12th, addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council this morning to appeal for international support of the boys' safe return. (Click here for video of her speech).
Mrs. Frankel, together with Iris Yifrach and Bat-Galim Shaar, the mothers of the two other kidnapped teenagers, Eyal Yifrach and Gilad Shaar, met this morning with UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Flavia Pansieri.
All three mothers flew from Israel to Geneva to urge the 47-nation Council and the international community to do everything it can to help find the boys and bring them home safely. So far, the Council has been silent on the plight of the abducted teens.
Mother of Kidnapped Israeli-American Teenager Naftali Frankel Appeals to UN
Rachel Frankel, mother of 16-year-old kidnap victim Naftali Frankel -- accompanied behind her by Iris Yifrach and Bat-Galim Shaar, mothers of the two other teenaged kidnap victims, Eyal Yifrach and Gilad Shaar -- today addressed the United Nations for the first time, on behalf of the human rights group UN Watch.
Text of Rachel Frankel's speech at the UN Human Rights Council
On behalf of UN Watch, my name is Rachel Frankel, and I live in Israel. I’ve come here today as a mother. Twelve days ago, my son Naftali, and two other teenage students, Eyal Yifrah and Gilad Shaer — whose mothers are sitting behind me — were kidnapped on their way home from school. Since then, we’ve heard nothing — no news, no sign of life.
UN Watch, which has been the most active NGO voice at this Council session on critical human rights issues, invited Mrs. Frankel to come to Geneva to use the NGO's slot to address the Council.
“UN Watch condemns the kidnapping of the three boys, which the ICRC rightly described as a war crime, and calls for their immediate, unconditional and safe return,” said UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer.
“This heinous act violates international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting civilians and the taking of hostages. Today we stand in awe of the three mothers' strength of spirit, and are grateful for the opportunity to offer her an international platform, together with the other two mothers, to appeal for the safe release of her son and the other two boys. We hope the international community will urgently heed their call."
Mother of Kidnapped Israeli Teen, Invited by UN Watch, Addresses UN Human Rights Council, Appeals for Help
With your permission, I’d like to tell you about the boys. My son Naftali is 16. He loves to play guitar and basketball. He’s a good student and a good boy — a combination of serious and fun. Eyal loves to play sports and cook. Gilad is an amateur pastry chef, and loves movies.
My son texted me — said he’s on his way home — and then he’s gone. Every mother’s nightmare is waiting and waiting endlessly for her child to come home.
We wish to express our profound gratitude for the waves of prayers, support and positive energy, pouring in from around the world.
Being in this assembly, I wish to thank the UN Secretary-General for condemning the abduction of our boys, expressing his solidarity with the families, and calling for their immediate release.
And I thank the International Red Cross for stating clearly that international humanitarian law prohibits the taking of hostages, and for demanding the immediate and unconditional release of our boys.
At the same time, I believe much more can be done — and should be done — by so many. That is why we three mothers have come here today — before the United Nations, and before the world — to askeveryone, to do whatever they can, to bring back our boys.
Mr. President, it is wrong to take children, innocent boys or girls, and use them as instruments of any struggle. It is cruel. This council is charged with protecting human rights. I wish to ask: Doesn’t every child have the right to come home safely from school?
We just want them back in our homes, in their beds. We just want to hug them again. Thank you, Mr. President.
Monday, June 23, 2014
Huckabee: Touch This Boy and You'll Have Hell to Pay
Mike Huckabee – television host, former Arkansas governor and former Republican presidential primary candidate – landed in Israel Sunday and went directly to visit the Frenkel family, whose son, Naftali, has been abducted by Hamas. He said he had come to show solidarity with the Frenkel family, and noted that Naftali Frenkel is an American citizen.
"I'm here not just as an American but as a father,” he said. “I think every parent in the world feels something at the pit of their stomach with the thought of something like this happening to their own child.”
"Americans need to hear this story,” he said. “This is an American citizen, this is one of us. And even if he wasn't – this should not happen to any young man or to any parent... Whoever is behind this must feel enough pressure to realize that the only decision they have to make is not when they give these boys back but how soon, and as safely as possible.”
When asked by Arutz Sheva about the United States' call, last week, for “restraint on both sides,” Huckabee said – “What's to restrain? What are the Israelis supposed to do? This to me is nonsense. The only restraint at this point is the restraint by whoever has these boys to do nothing to hurt them. G-d help those people if they touch a hair on these boy's heads... I think the Israelis have every right to say – and America should join this message – you touch that boy who's an American citizen and you will have hell to pay for it.That should be the only message we are sending right now.”
“We recognize this is an incredibly sensitive and difficult circumstance on the ground, and we feel all sides should exercise restraint,” State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki stated at a press conference on Wednesday.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Tony Orlando Visits Families of Abductees
Popular American singer Tony Orlando calls on his fans to hang three yellow ribbons in solidarity with kidnapped youths.
Popular 1970s American pop singer Tony Orlando is currently in Israel, where he paid a visit to the families of the three teenagers who were kidnapped by terrorists last week.
According to The Associated Press (AP), Orlando has asked his fans to hang three yellow ribbons in solidarity with the youths, like in the line from his famous song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree”.
The hit song, which Orlando performed with the group Tony Orlando and Dawn, became an anthem when American prisoners of war returned from Vietnam, and again became popular with Americans with loved ones serving in Iraq.
"I want Israel to know that I intend to go back home and do everything I can to ask the people of America to tie those yellow ribbons, three yellow ribbons, to show support for the three young Israeli boys," Orlando said, speaking to reporters from outside the home of Naftali Frenkel.
"Our kids stray off on occasion, but we don’t expect them to be kidnapped. We don’t expect cruelty of mind. The only thing to hate is hate itself,” he added.
“Children should not be touched. To the captors: please bring those children home,” said Orlando.
The hit song, which Orlando performed with the group Tony Orlando and Dawn, became an anthem when American prisoners of war returned from Vietnam, and again became popular with Americans with loved ones serving in Iraq.
"I want Israel to know that I intend to go back home and do everything I can to ask the people of America to tie those yellow ribbons, three yellow ribbons, to show support for the three young Israeli boys," Orlando said, speaking to reporters from outside the home of Naftali Frenkel.
"Our kids stray off on occasion, but we don’t expect them to be kidnapped. We don’t expect cruelty of mind. The only thing to hate is hate itself,” he added.
“Children should not be touched. To the captors: please bring those children home,” said Orlando.
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