Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement on the kidnapping of Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrah, and Naftali Fraenkel:

“On behalf of myself and the people of the Ninth Congressional District of New York, I extend prayers and support for the expedited and safe return of Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrah, and Naftali Fraenkel, each of whom have family members here in our Brooklyn community. I share the concerns of the families and community leadership here in the United States, as well as, in Israel that their abrupt and unexplained disappearance is part of an attempt to threaten the security of an entire nation and I condemn in the strongest terms the kidnapping of theses three teenagers last week. Furthermore, I add my voice in condemning those responsible for this act of terrorism, which Secretary of State Kerry said that ‘many indications (are) pointing to the involvement of Hamas.’  With President Obama, Secretary of State Kerry, my colleagues in Congress, and people of good will from around the world, I pledge my support to the effort to secure the safe return of Gilad Shaar, Eyal Yifrah, and Naftali Fraenkel to their loved ones.”