PM Netanyahu on statement by Khaled Mashal

Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser, June 24, 2014

La nuit dernière, nous avons entendu Khaled Mechaal, le chef du Hamas, se féliciter et justifier l'enlèvement brutal de trois adolescents Israéliens innocents qui rentraient de l'école. Mashal prouve ainsi, une fois de plus et très clairement, que le Hamas reste fidèle à son idéologie de guerre, contre chaque citoyen israélien et contre tous les Juifs, dans le monde entier. Comment le Président Abbas peut-il créer une alliance avec ces terroristes?

Welcoming visiting Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Tuesday, 24 June 2014), made the following remarks:

"We share a strong commitment to democracy, to freedom, to the rule of law. We also share a commitment on the fight against bigotry and all forms of anti-Semitism, racism and intolerance. And anti-Semitism has perhaps been the worst intolerance in history, and I think there is a special responsibility and need to combat the forms of anti-Semitism that we see emerging in parts of Europe. We have a centuries-old affinity between us and I believe that we have to make sure not to repeat the mistakes of the past and to embrace the future.

There are forces that seek to bring us back to a dark age. They're in the Middle East, but they also send their killers, fighters they call them, into Europe. And I think we need to define a clear fault line between civilization and savagery, and take concrete action against the forces of darkness.

Last night we heard Khaled Mashal, the leader of Hamas, praise and defend the brutal kidnapping of the three innocent Israeli teenagers who were making their way home from school. Mashal once again made clear that Hamas remains committed to its war against Israel and its war against every Israeli citizen, and coincidently, against every Jew around the world.

So, how can President Abbas make an alliance with these terrorists who extol kidnapping? I appreciate what President Abbas said a few days ago in Saudi Arabia, rejecting the kidnapping. I think these were important words. Now, if he really means what he said about the kidnapping, and if he is truly committed to peace and to fighting terrorism, then logic and common sense mandate that he break his pact with Hamas. This is the only way that we can move forward.

I think this is something that is shared by many in Europe who understand that the quest for peace and stability and tranquility means that we have to fight the forces of terror, intolerance and darkness. There can be no alliance with the kidnappers of children…"