Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See has said civilians “should always stay out of conflicts” after the funeral of three Israeli teenagers kidnapped and murdered last month.
Ambassador Zion Evrony told the Italian bishops’ news agency SIR that “the people of Israel want peace, which remains our greatest dream.” But he added that “unfortunately, such inhumane actions are obstacles along the way of peace.”
Eyal Yifrah, 19, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Naftali Fraenkel, 16, were buried side by side on Monday after funeral services at synagogues in each of their home communities. The three victims were students at a rabbinical school when they were kidnapped on June 12. Their bodies were discovered two weeks later.
The Islamist group Hamas praised the kidnappings of the teenagers, but has so far denied Israeli allegations that it was involved.
Ambassador Evrony said: “We greatly appreciate the words expressed by Pope Francis to the families of the three young Israelis kidnapped and brutally killed and his call to the Chief Rabbi Di Segni to inform him personally of his sorrow for the murder of these innocents.
He added: “As a father, I join in the prayers and the suffering of the families who will never be able to hug their children.”
