IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 642 

Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the three kidnapped 

teenagers held captive in the West Bank, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 25, 2014 

Mr. SCHNEIDER (for himself and Mr. WEBER of Texas) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

RESOLUTION 

Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the 

three kidnapped teenagers held captive in the West 

Bank, and for other purposes. 

Whereas on June 12, 2014, three Israeli teenagers, Eyal 

Yifrach, Gil-ad Sha’er, and Naftali Frankel, disappeared 

returning home from school in Gush Etzion; 

Whereas Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 

that the teenagers were ‘‘kidnapped by a terrorist organization’’; 

Whereas Naftali Frankel holds United States citizenship; 

Whereas the Israeli security services have prevented dozens 

of kidnapping attempts, and Israeli officials have said 

that abductors’ goals have been to trade hostages for Palestinian prisoners; 


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•HRES 642 IH 

Whereas the United States Department of State immediately 

condemned the kidnapping of the three teenagers, urged 

cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian security 

services, acknowledged that ‘‘many indications point to 

Hamas’ involvement’’ and reiterated that ‘‘Hamas is a 

terrorist organization known for its attacks on innocent 

civilians and which has used kidnapping in the past.’’; 

Whereas Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that the 

kidnapped boys ‘‘are human beings and we are looking 

for them and we will hold their kidnappers accountable 

whoever they are’’, referring to the kidnapping; 

Whereas Khalid Meshaal, head of Hamas, was quoted as saying that he ‘‘blesses the hands of those who kidnapped’’, 

and ‘‘if there is a confirmation that a Palestinian group 

is behind the kidnapping, we should applaud and take off 

our hats to them’’; 

Whereas the International Committee of the Red Cross has 

called for the immediate and unconditional release of the 

three teenagers; 

Whereas continual security cooperation between the Palestinian Authority security forces and Israel is essential to 

preventing future violence and incidents of kidnapping; 

Whereas the Palestinian Authority recently announced a reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah, paving 

the way for a unity government supported by Hamas; 

and 

Whereas Section 7040 of the Department of State, Foreign 

Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 

2014 (division K of Public Law 113–76) states that no 

United States assistance is permitted for a ‘‘power-sharing PA government that includes Hamas as a member’’, 


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•HRES 642 IH 

or that results from an agreement with Hamas and over 

which Hamas exercises ‘‘undue influence’’, unless the 

President certifies that the Palestinian Authority government, including all ministers, has recognized Israel’s 

right to exist and accepted previous Israeli-Palestinian 

agreements: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) demands the immediate and unconditional 

3 release of the three captives, Eyal Yifrach, Gil-ad 

4 Sha’er and Naftali Frankel; 

5 (2) expresses its— 

6 (A) unshakeable support for the State of 

7 Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, with 

8 secure borders, living in peace and security 

9 alongside an independent Palestinian state; 

10 (B) ongoing concern and sympathy for the 

11 families of Eyal Yifrach, Gil-ad Sha’er, and 

12 Naftali Frankel; and 

13 (C) full commitment to seek the immediate 

14 and unconditional release of the captives; and 

15 (3) reiterates its commitment to upholding the 

16 conditions in United States law in regards to United 

17 States assistance to the Palestinian Authority. 

Æ 


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