NEW YORK – In reaction to the discovery of the bodies of the three Israeli teenagers abducted and murdered by terrorists on Monday, the World Jewish Congress (WJC) is mobilizing Jewish communities around the world in support of the victims’ families and the people of Israel. “This horrendous crime has sent shock waves throughout the Jewish world, and there have been outpourings of grief and of support for Israel,” declared WJC President Ronald S. Lauder.
In a letter to all its affiliated communities and organizations in 100 countries, the World Jewish Congress urged that on Thursday, 3 July 2014, at 10:25 p.m. Israel time, the exact time of the abduction, the communities and organizations display a black page on their websites for three hours, with only the names of the three murdered teens appearing.
WJC CEO Robert Singer urged that synagogues organize memorial services and that schools hold a special class devoted to the fate of the three boys. Singer also asked individuals to write condolence messages to the families of the boys. To the end, the WJC has opened a condolence book on its website: http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/condolences. Singer was in Israel for talks with senior Israeli government officials.
In reaction to the news about the murders, Ronald S. Lauder urged the international community to halt cooperation with the Palestinian Authority until Hamas is excluded from all government bodies. “This murder must spur the world into action, and the fight against fanatic, extremist groups such as Hamas must be stepped up urgently,” said the WJC president, adding: “Clearly, Hamas is a terrorist organization, and it must be dismantled. It is the responsibility of Mahmoud Abbas to remove Hamas members from his government immediately and fight terrorism vigorously and urgently. He needs to show leadership now.”
