Brussels, 17/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton has condemned in the strongest terms the abduction of three Israeli students on 12 June. The students were from a settlement in the West Bank and Ashton has called for their immediate release and return to their families. “Such acts can only undermine international efforts to encourage a resumption of peace negotiations”, Ashton stated.
“The EU encourages continued close cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian security services to ensure the swift release of the abductees”, Ashton said. She underlined that the EU was following developments closely and remained in permanent contact with its Israeli and Palestinian counterparts.
On Monday, Israeli diplomatic sources criticised the EU for not having reacted to this abduction, underlining that this has not gone un-noticed, according to the Jerusalem Post.
The three young Israelis, aged 16-19, disappeared on 12 June. They were last seen hitching a lift to return from their Talmudic school, in the Gush Etzion settlement. (CG)