[ssba]

“I strongly condemn the abduction of three Israeli youths in the West Bank. My thoughts are with their families and I hope for their safe return home soon. I appeal to those who are able to bring about their release to take urgent action to do so.

I am deeply concerned by the escalation in violence on the ground. For the sake of both Israelis and Palestinians, I hope further escalation can be avoided. The rockets fired indiscriminately from Gaza into Israel must stop; it is tragic that the Israeli airstrikes in response led to civilian injuries and the death of a child. I call on all parties to respect in full the November 2012 ceasefire.” (Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 15/6/2014)