A Kidnapping That Made Israel Into One Family How Three Boys United a Country in Death

By Elana Sztokman
With news that the bodies of the three kidnapped boys — Eyal Yifrach, 19, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Naftali Frankel, 16 — were found near Hebron, a collective sigh of grief has been released throughout Israel.
It is one of these moments that brings both tragedy and closure — the former, which Israel already has in excess, and the latter which is far more elusive.

It also brings a certain degree of vindication at the end of a 17-day period of aching unknown and seemingly endless scenarios, one worse than the other.

But while these events have exacerbated tensions and added anxiety-filled narratives to a country overflowing with conflict, they also highlight some of the most important and inspiring aspects of life in Israel at a time when we can all use some sources for optimism, and reminds Israel of some important lessons as we go forward.

These past two and a half weeks since the three boys disappeared on their way home, after calling the police to say, “We have been kidnapped,” Israelis everywhere have been walking on eggshells. Even as Israelis mostly continued life almost as normal, concern for the boys dominated the public consciousness everywhere.

 Prayer vigils united even those not prone to praying; bar mitzvahs and weddings included mentions of the boys; meetings and conversations on mundane and non-mundane agendas incorporated updates and exchanges about the search. This collective anguish in some ways epitomizes life in Israel. There is this constant sense of family connection, sometimes to the extreme, but always genuine in its care for victims whose crime is being a Jew.

This kidnapping, coming so shortly after the release of Gilad Shalit, also brought out a particular kind of panic. The thought that we were going to be subjected to another indefinite period of waiting, in which the threat of long-term kidnappings hangs over the heads of Israelis, inducing unbearable guilt and tortuous uncertainty, was at times too much to bear. The sight of the mothers going to the United Nations to plead for their release — a scene that is especially sad in retrospect now that we know the boys were already gone — was both empowering and frightening.

The mothers, especially Rachel Frankel, demonstrated remarkable poise and strength, but also revived images of Noam Schalit traveling the world to release his son, hinting that Israel may once again be in it for the long haul. I think it’s in some ways easier to deal with the certainty of death than with that kind of indefinite unknowing. Thoughts of Ron Arad, whose fate so many decades later is still unknown, hang over Israel’s head like a flock of vultures. The enormous emotional and spiritual toll that these stories take on Israel is in some ways what makes Israel who we are.

I think this is why Israel was so quick to strike back at Hamas, to isolate Hebron, and to take as many prisoners as the top brass felt necessary. There was this sense that we must preempt that scenario no matter what. I think that this is also why most Israelis fully supported the actions of the IDF, even when some of these actions seemed unexplainable.

There were quiet corners of question, asked in ways that would not disturb the search. Why arrest so many Palestinians, some whispered? What about the toll on Palestinian lives, others dared say, but not too loudly? Is all this really necessary? With all those challenges, it seems clear now that had it not been for that no-holds-barred approach, the IDF may have never actually found the bodies. Despite doubts some people may have had along the way, right now the IDF is having a moment of proud if despondent vindication, an unspoken posture that they did precisely the job that they set out to do.

And then there were the conspiracy theories. Several different Facebook feeds gently explored the strange possibility that this was all a façade, the work of the Mossad, an excuse for the IDF to go into Hebron and root out the Hamas infrastructure. That no reliable group came forward to take responsibility or demand ransom added troubling fodder to the theories. That today’s New York Times quoted Palestinians as widely believing those theories did not help either.

Still, in other conversations both online and in person, it seemed clear that most Arabs do not favor kidnapping. Some Arabs — MK Zoabi notwithstanding – came forward to bravely show solidarity with the three boys and their families.” Personally, I would really like to believe that many more were silently in this camp. It meshes with encounters I have recently had with Arab women. And besides, the alternative is too hard for me to live with.

Ultimately, this is a very, very sad day in Israel — especially for the families, but also for all those who prayed and spoke out in allegiance with the victims. But in some ways it is a reminder of what Israel is really made of. When a Jew is in danger because of his or her Jewishness, the entire country feels for the victim. Israel’s willingness to go on a mission to save the victim still resonates very strongly.

Now, our challenge is how to retain that feeling of unwavering protection for Jews while maintaining a stalwart and uncompromised commitment to the humanity of everyone else as well.


Read more: http://forward.com/articles/201082/a-kidnapping-that-made-israel-into-one-family/#ixzz36ANAS74d

Obama wants Israel to Show Restraint?

"On behalf of the American people I extend my deepest and heartfelt condolences to the families of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Fraenkel – who held Israeli and American citizenship. As a father, I cannot imagine the indescribable pain that the parents of these teenage boys are experiencing. The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms this senseless act of terror against innocent youth. From the outset, I have offered our full support to Israel and the Palestinian Authority to find the perpetrators of this crime and bring them to justice, and I encourage Israel and the Palestinian Authority to continue working together in that effort.
 I also urge all parties to refrain from steps that could further destabilize the situation. As the Israeli people deal with this tragedy, they have the full support and friendship of the United States."

Netanyahu: They Were Abducted & Murdered In Cold Blood By Human Animals

Remarks by Israeli PM on killings of abducted teens:
“With heavy grief, this evening we found three bodies. All signs indicate that they are the bodies of our three abducted youths – Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frankel.

They were abducted and murdered in cold blood by human animals. On behalf of the entire Jewish People, I would like to tell the dear families – the mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, and brothers and sisters – we are deeply saddened, the entire nation weeps with you. We will give the boys a proper burial. ‘Vengeance for the blood of a small child,

Satan has not yet created. neither has vengeance for the blood of three pure youths, who were on their way home to meet their parents, who will not see them anymore. Hamas is responsible – and Hamas will pay. May the memories of the three boys be blessed.”

BD"E: BODIES OF THREE KIDNAPPED YESHIVA BOYS FOUND IN ARAB VILLAGE

After 18 days of tefilos, tears and unprecedented achdus, Am Yisrael has learned that the kidnapped youths who were snatched by Hamas terrorists are not among the living. The boys were abducted from Alon Shvut Junction on Thursday night the eve of 15 Sivan 5774. Their bodies have been found in Halhul.

The rumors began flying during the evening hours on Monday 2 Tammuz as official state vehicles accompanied by IDF, Israel Police and ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) vehicles headed to Halhul, a PA autonomous city south of Gush Etzion and north of Hebron. Halhul has been known as a hotbed for terrorism since the first intifada in 1987 and it has only gotten more hostile since the
As the rumors are confirmed following official notification to the parents of the youths, the nation can now begin to shed tears together amid a realization that despite the tefilos from the heart and cries of family members and Am Yisrael around the world, the gzar din has been rendered, a difficult one for the countless numbers of Yidden and supporters around the world that linked to the plight of the youths and their parents.

The Shaar, Frenkel and Yifrach families were emissaries for Klall Yisrael giving strength to Jews worldwide, being MeKadesh Shem Shomayim with their words and actions as they exhibited unshakable bitachon in HKBH and spread a message of kedusha to the international community from any and every forum that could reach.

The IDF activity in Halhul continues at this time. The Security Cabinet is convening at 21:30.

Once again, the nation prepares for levayas R”L and aveilus. יהי זכרום ברוך
n.

 

Developing News! Large number of IDF forces gather north of Hebron in search for kidnapped teens....

A large number of police officers and security forces were gathered at the Halhul junction north of Hebron as part of ongoing operations in search of three kidnapped Israeli teenagers.

Halhul junction

Clashes broke out in the area between security forces and Palestinians.
A cabinet meeting was reportedly set to convene later tonight.

The Prime Minister's office would not confirm or deny reports that the cabinet is meeting to discuss a development in the case.

Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon said Monday evening that progress had been made in the more than two-week search for Gil-Ad Share, Naftali Fraenkel and Eyal Yifrah, reported Israel Radio.
The entire area has been shut down as police, IDF, ISA (Israel Security Agency – Shin Bet) and other agencies are operating in that area. Security forces are being attacked with rocks and whatever the terrorists can grab in an effort to complicate efforts of soldiers to operate in the area.

The IDF Spokesman is not commenting on the widespread rumors that the worst has occurred R”L. Additional confirmed information will be published as it becomes available 

2 Black Shiksas beat 83 year old Naftali Lebovitz Unconscious Sunday Night

An elderly chasidishi Williamsburg man was hospitalized after being beaten by two black shiksas, police in New York said.

Brooklyn Police said that the incident unfolded on Sunday night, and Naftali Lebovits suffered serious wounds as a result of the beating.

According to the police investigation, the 83-year-old man was walking on Taylor Street, after having dinner with family. Suddenly, the two women approached and beat him until he fell unconscious to the floor.

Raven Small, 20, and Tatyana Bone, 18, are also accused of screaming anti-Semitic slurs during the attack. Neighbors who heard the screams, called the police.

The old man was transferred by an ambulance to a nearby hospital. Later, the two women were detained by police. They were both charged with assault.

IDF Arrests Father of Kidnapper .. Mother of Kidnapper says she is proud of her Terrorist son

Omar Abu Aysha

The Hamas-affiliated newspaper Al-Resalah is reporting that the father of an at-large suspect believed to be involved in the kidnapping of three Israeli teens was taken into custody by IDF soldiers during a series of overnight raids in Hebron on Sunday.

TIMESOFISRAEL.com (http://bit.ly/1rMBiQq) reports that Omar Abu Aysha, father of kidnapping suspect 32 year-old Amer Abu Aysha, was one of seven Palestinians arrested in a 190-location sweep by the IDF early Sunday morning.

Amer Abu Aysha disappeared immediately following the kidnappings and has yet to resurface.

Questioned about his son’s whereabouts last week, Omar Abu Aysha denied having any knowledge of where his son is, saying only that Amer quickly exited a family gathering hours before the kidnappings occurred.
Amer’s mother said that she too had no knowledge of his whereabouts, but added that she would be proud of him if he was involved in the crime and hopes he continues to evade authorities.

Watch Israeli Air Force kill 2 Terrorists that flew missles into Israel, Video

CCTV footage from the Gaza Strip appears to show the moment two terrorists were eliminated in an Israel Air Force precision strike.
The terrorists' car can be seen traveling down a quiet road before suddenly exploding after apparently being hit by a missile.
 

The IDF confirmed the strike Friday afternoon, and identified the two dead terrorists as Osama Hasoumi and Mohammed Fatsih, saying they were targeted for their involvement in recent rocket fire against Israeli communities in the Israel's southern Negev region.
An IDF statement said Israel held Gaza's Hamas rulers responsible for any rocket fire against Israel.
It came just hours after terrorists detonated a bomb near troops manning Israel's security fence. A spokesman for Gaza's health services, Ashraf al-Qudra, told AFP the five were hurt after IDF tanks returned fire at positions east of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza.
The Israeli military said "an explosive device was activated against (army) forces operating adjacent to the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip," causing no injuries.
"The force responded with tank fire towards lookout posts used to guide the attack against the forces," it said.
Later Friday Gazan terrorist groups fired a barrage of rockets against Israeli towns and villages in the south. Three rockets exploded in the Eshkol Region Friday evening, and two more rockets were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system as they were targeting the Hof Ashkelon Region.

ISIS Terrorists in Syria crucify eight Terrorists from rival group as fierce three-way clashes intensify

May they all have Success!

 

 

A jihadist group in Syria has publicly executed and crucified nine men, eight of them rebels fighting both President Bashar al-Assad's regime and the jihadists, a monitor said on Sunday.
The report comes amid fierce clashes on the outskirts of Damascus between the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which is spearheading a major offensive in Iraq, and rebels, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"ISIL executed eight men in Deir Hafer in the east of Aleppo province" on Saturday because they belonged to rebel groups that had fought against the jihadists as well as Assad's forces, it said.

ISIL then "crucified them in the main square of the village, where their bodies will remain for three days", the Britain-based monitor said.

Also in Aleppo province, a ninth man was executed and crucified in Al-Bab town near the border with Turkey.

ISIL first emerged in Syria's war in late spring last year and was initially welcomed by some Syrian rebels who believed its combat experience would help topple Assad.

But subsequent jihadist abuses quickly turned the Syrian opposition, including Islamists, against ISIL.

Rebels launched a major anti-ISIL offensive in January 2014, and have pushed them out of large swathes of Aleppo province and all of Idlib in the northwest.

However, ISIL remains firmly rooted in Raqa, its northern Syrian headquarters, and wields significant power in Deir Ezzor in the east near the border with Iraq.

Activists say the group's Iraq offensive and capture of heavy weapons -- some of them US-made -- appears to have boosted its confidence in Syria.

East of Damascus, "fierce clashes broke out early Sunday between rebels from the Army of Islam and ISIL near the town of Hammuriyeh", the Observatory said.

The Army of Islam is a major component of the Islamic Front, Syria's largest rebel coalition which has been fighting ISIL for months, but such fighting in Damascus province is unprecedented.

Regime soldiers and warplanes backed by Lebanon's Shiite Hezbollah also pounded rebel positions near the capital with rockets and surface-to-surface missiles, said the Local Coordination Committees activist network.

Syria's war began as a peaceful protest movement in March 2011 demanding political change, but became an armed insurgency when Assad's regime unleashed a brutal crackdown.

Many months into the fighting, jihadists began to flock to Syria where upwards of 162,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in more than three years of conflict

Hamas Militants Named as Kidnappers

Wanted for kidnapping: (left to right) Marwan Quasma and Amar Abu Eisha

Israel  identified two well-known Hamas operatives in the West Bank as the central suspects in the recent disappearance of three Israeli teenagers, in the first sign of progress in a frantic two-week search for the missing youths.

Officials said the two men have been missing since the teenagers disappeared, and that a large manhunt is underway for them.

In a statement, Israel’s Shin Bet security service identified the men as Marwan Qawasmeh and Amer Abu Aisheh. It said both men are activists from the Hamas militant group in the West Bank city of Hebron, the area where the youths disappeared on June 12.

Israel has accused Hamas of kidnapping the three teens, who disappeared as they were hitchhiking home. But until Thursday, it had provided no evidence to support the claim. It said both Qawasmeh, who was born in 1985, and Abu Aisha, who was born in 1981, have served time in Israeli prisons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who has condemned the kidnapping, to end a unity government he formed with the backing of Hamas earlier this month.
“I now expect President Abbas, who said important things in Saudi Arabia, to stand by those words (and) to break his pact with the Hamas terrorist organization that kidnaps children and calls for the destruction of Israel,” he said.

Following the disappearance of the teens, Israel launched its broadest ground operation in the West Bank in nearly a decade, rounding up nearly 400 Palestinians, most of them Hamas activists.

Hamas officials in Hebron confirmed the two suspects were members, and said Israeli troops have targeted the men’s homes since the beginning of the operation.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of fears for their safety, said the brothers and wives of the two men had been taken into custody, though the women have since been released. They said troops had entered the homes several times, conducting intense searches and confiscating certain items as evidence.

A relative of Qawasmeh declined comment, fearing Israeli retribution. Abu Aisha’s family could not immediately be reached.

While Abbas has refused Israeli calls to break up his alliance with Hamas, he has instructed his security forces to continue a controversial policy of security coordination with the Israelis.

A senior Palestinian intelligence official said the two suspects are believed to be hiding and that Palestinian security forces were also searching for them. He said the fact that the two men have been missing since the kidnapping is “clear evidence they have links with the abduction.”