The mothers of three Israeli teens kidnapped twelve days ago appealed the international community to help bring their sons home.
Rachel Frenkel, Bat-Galim Shaer and Iris Yifrah came to the United Nations Human Rights council (UNHRC) in Geneva to issue the appeal.
“I come here today as a mother,” said Fraenkel, whose 16-year-old son Naftali is a dual Israeli-American citizen. ‘’They were taken on June 12, as they were returning home after school, and “since then we’ve heard nothing,” she added.
Since they went missing in the region of Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem, a massive manhunt was set off by the army.
“My son texted me — said he’s on his way home — and then he’s gone,” said Fraenkel.
“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.”
She thanked the UN for condemning the kidnapping, as well as the Red Cross, but emphasized that “much more can be done and should be done by so many.”
We “ask everyone to do whatever they can to bring back our boys,” she added
She continued: ‘’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?.’’
Fraenkel also briefly described the three missing students’ personalities and hobbies.
“My son Naftali is 16,” she said. “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.”
Before and after her address, Israel was subjected to scathing criticism by numerous international human rights representatives for its military actions in the West Bank and alleged human rights violations. Most of the delegates made no reference to the kidnapping.
Numerous delegates, including those of Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Algeria, Turkey, Morocco, Maldives, Qatar, South Korea, Libya, Chile, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia decried the “Israeli violations of human rights of Palestinians in the West Bank.”
An International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists representative returned the discussion to the topic of the abduction. “It is impossible to focus on such issues in light of recent events,” he said, criticizing the focus on Israeli actions, and said he was “disappointed by inaction and apathy of international community.”
“The entire world should listen closely to the words of this mother and do everything it can to return Naftali Frenkel, Eyal Yifrach and Gilad Shaar safely to their homes,” Lauder said. “All civilized nations must mobilize to defeat the scourge of terrorism and kidnapping, and condemn those who carry out, promote and glorify these activities. Sadly, there are all too many, especially within the halls of the UN, who condone and even approve of them.”