Politicians give condolences in wake of Israeli teen deaths

July 1, 2014 By Matthew Taub Special to Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn Brief

New Yorkers mourn the loss of the three kidnapped Israeli teens, one of them with Brooklyn roots

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In light of the tragic discovery of the bodies of three Israeli teens–one of which had strong Brooklyn ties–politicians across the borough offered their condolences and statements of solidarity.

“The world has watched the 18-day search for these boys with bated breath, hoping and praying for their safe return. This horrendous outcome is a painful and glaring reminder of the evil that exists in this world,” said Council Member Chaim Deutsch.

“Brooklyn mourns the loss of life that was discovered today in Israel, as three teenagers, one of whom with significant ties to our borough, were found deceased,” said Borough President Eric Adams. “Their disappearance had a deep impact on many Brooklynites, not only our Jewish brothers and sisters but people in general that believe in basic human decency. Protecting innocent children is paramount; it is a fight we are engaged in from Nigeria to Nostrand Avenue, from Israel to India Street. I urge the international community to demand that justice prevail.”

“Today is a tragic day for all people of good conscience,” said Councilman David Greenfield. “Only barbarians would kidnap and murder innocent children in cold blood. The international community must unite to find the individual terrorists responsible and bring them to justice.”

“This is not just a crime against Israel. It is a crime against every peace and freedom loving nation in this world,” said Council Member Mark Treyger.

“Let us all hug our own children a little tighter today in memory of these three boys,” said Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz. “At the same time, let us rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of peace, a mission that must never be abandoned even in the face of the deepest despair.”

A few of these politicians offered specific policy proposals going forward.

“The international community must unite to find the individual terrorists responsible and bring them to justice,” Greenfield said. “More immediately, the Palestinian Authority must immediately withdraw from their coalition with the terrorist organization Hamas that praised these horrific acts.”

“Calling the deaths of these three Israeli teenagers a senseless act of terrorism does not seem strong enough,” Cymbrowitz said. “This was an act of barbarism: blatant, premeditated cruelty that shows no respect for human decency or for human life.”

“The United States should not put pressure on any nation to sit down with the people responsible for the killing of these boys,” Treyger added. “Until people understand that negotiations will not take place under the threat of bullets, kidnappings, or suicide bombs, we must take decisive action to reinforce that terrorism has no place in this world or at the negotiating table. We need to crystallize this message in honor and memory of these three young men, the hundreds of kidnapped Nigerian girls and everyone else who has fallen victim to terror.”