Proud to join with fellow community and religious leaders in solidarity with the 3 kidnapped Israeli teenagers and their families. Terrorism is a cancer on our society which we fight aggressively until it is completely eradicated. #BRING BACK OUR BOYS Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island, Community and Religious Leaders, and Public Officials Stand in Solidarity with Three Kidnapped Israeli Teenagers and their Families MINELOA, NY – On Thursday, June 26th, the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Long Island, community and religious leaders, and public officials joined in solidarity and prayer with the people of Israel and the families of three Israeli teenagers kidnapped by terrorists two weeks ago as they made their way home from school. The boys – Eyal Yifrach (19), Gilad Shaar (16) and Naftali Frenkel (16) – have not been heard from since their abduction by terrorists. Frenkel is a dual US-Israel citizen. Elected and public officials along with non-Jewish leaders joined together outside the Nassau County Commission on Human Rights with members of the Jewish community and the State of Israel to denounce this heinous abduction of innocent children and call for their immediate release and return to their families. Statement of Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island JCRC-LI stands in solidarity with the three Israeli teenagers abducted by terrorists last Thursday and calls on for their immediate release. Our hearts and prayers are with Eyal Yifrah (19), Gilad Shaer (16), Naftali Frenkel (16) and their families. We stand together with our local and national leaders, as well as those around the world, who have unequivocally condemned this heinous act. We call on those who have yet to do so to add their voices in condemning the abduction. Those who are responsible for this brutal act of terrorism must be found and brought to justice. We commend the diligence and professionalism of Israel’s security forces, who are working tirelessly to secure the release of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali. We urge Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to cooperate in any way possible with Israel to ensure they are returned home safely and unconditionally. Statement of UJA-Federation of New York: UJA-Federation of New York stands with the people of Israel, the government of Israel, and the international community to condemn the kidnapping of Israeli students Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar, and Naftali Fraenkel. The targeting of innocent civilians is abhorrent – and we support Israel’s efforts to facilitate the release of these young men. Our thoughts are with their families and we join with all people who care about Israel’s security and peace in the Middle East to pray for their prompt and safe return. Shahar Azani, Spokesperson and Consul for Media Affairs for the Consulate General of Israel in NY: On behalf of the State of Israel and the Israeli people, I want to thank the Long Island community and our friends throughout the tri-state area for your support, for your prayers and for your voices. When Naftali, Gilad and Eyal were abducted by Hamas terrorists, an entire nation was robbed of three of its children. We must keep our focus on this fact, that these are children who were taken against their will in an inhumane act of terror. Hamas’ continuous efforts to target and terrorize Israeli citizens must be condemned by the entire international community. We will stand strong in the face of terror and continue to pray for the swift and safe return of Naftali, Gilad, and Eyal. Edward P. Mangano, Nassau County Executive: The thoughts and prayers of my wife Linda and I are with the families of the three Israeli teenagers kidnapped last Thursday. We pray that these young men are returned to their families safely and that their captors are brought to justice. Kathleen Rice, Nassau County District Attorney & Democratic Candidate for the 4th NY Congressional District: The U.S. should provide all the support and assistance it can in helping to find these teenagers and bring their kidnappers to justice; my thoughts and prayers are with the boys and their families. Dean Skelos, Co-Majority Leader of the NY State Senate: I condemn those responsible for the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers and stand with our strong allies in Israel in calling for them to be immediately and safely returned home. New Yorkers throughout our region will continue to keep these young men and their families in our prayers until they are found. Jack M. Martins, NY State Senator: Terrorism is a cancer on society and humanity. Just like cancer, we must fight terrorism aggressively and completely and not stop until it is totally eradicated. We pray for the safety of Etyal, Gilad, and Naftali and stand with their families and the people of Israel in support. Charles Lavine, NY State Assemblyman: The taking of hostages is a throwback to an era of lawlessness and despicable disregard of human rights. I stand with the families of these kidnapped youngsters and with the people of Israel to demand their safe treatment and their immediate return to their families and their nation. Michelle Schimel, NY State Assemblywoman: I am horrified at the kidnapping of the three Israeli teenagers. Children should never be used as pawns. I stand with Israel and all civilized nations in condemning this cowardly act. Dr. Bishop Phillip Elliott, Nassau Deputy County Executive for Minority Affairs and Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Hempstead: The abduction of teenagers anywhere in the world is an assault on all civilized nations. As governmental and religious leaders we stand together to condemn this inhuman act and pray for the safe return of these boys to their families. Zahid Syed, Chairman, Nassau County Commission on Human Rights: As the Chairman of Nassau County Commission on Human Rights, I condemn this act as inhuman and stand with the family of these three young Israeli boys, I pray for their safe return to home. As leaders we should take a stand and condemn these inhuman acts whether they are Israeli children or Nigerian. It is our responsibility to work together to make sure that human rights are protected for these children. Those who are responsible for this inhuman act must be brought to justice. Habeeb U. Ahmed, 1st Vice President, Islamic Center of Long Island: Even though I am a human rights commissioner in Nassau County, the abuse of human rights anywhere should not be tolerated and all the people of conscience should condemn this kidnapping. Dr. Roy Alanda, J.D., President, Long Island Hispanic Bar Association: I have championed the rights of people from all backgrounds and all walks of life for more than 30 years. What has happened to these young Jewish teenagers is deplorable and damages the very foundation of human rights and human kindness in a society that champions life, freedom and diversity. Our way of life is held hostage by these acts of terrorism. Tejinder Bindra, President of the Sikh Art and Film Foundation: The Sikh-American community condemns the barbaric and cowardly act of kidnapping the innocent Israeli children and demands their immediate release and that the criminals be brought to justice. Bruce Blakeman, Former Port Authority Commissioner: We cannot and must not negotiate with terrorists and Israel must know that America is their true friend and ally. Hamas must be held accountable. Capitulation has never worked in the past, does not work in the present, and certainly will not work in the future. The time is now to BRING BACK OUR BOYS! About the Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island (JCRC-LI) The mission of JCRC-LI is to inform and mobilize the Long Island community to take action locally, nationally, and internationally to address community relations issues important to both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. JCRC-LI focuses on serving as an umbrella for Jewish institutions across Long Island, fostering positive and meaningful inter-group relationships, serving as a resource for information and advocacy about Israel and international affairs to the Jewish and non-Jewish communities of Long Island and maintaining an on-going dialogue between the Jewish community and governmental officials at the local, state and federal level. JCRC-LI is a part of JCRC-NY and a beneficiary agency of UJA-Federation of New York.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 19:35:12 +0000
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