US praises Abbas for comments, urges restraint

As search for abducted teens continues, Abbas' decrial of kidnapping inspires accolades from US, skepticism from Israeli officials and massive criticism from Hamas,: Comments based on Zionist narrative.

Published: 06.18.14,

The United States on Wednesday praised Palestinian President Abbas for condemning the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers, and called on both Israel and the Palestinians to show restraint as Israel tightened its grip on the West Bank in search for the boys.

Gilad Shaer and Naftali Frenkel, both 16, and 19-year-old Eyal Ifrach, went missing late Thursday from a popular hitchhiking spot near the Gush Etzion settlement bloc in the southern West Bank.


Abbas lashed out earlier Wednesday against the culprits behind the kidnapping, saying: "The three teens are human beings like us and they should be returned to their families… Those who carried out the kidnapping want to destroy us."


Abbas' comments quickly drew condemnation from Hamas: "These comments are based on the Zionist narrative," said Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza.

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