Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says his forces are helping search for three missing Israeli teenagers allegedly kidnapped by Hamas militants.
Speaking before a gathering of Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia Wednesday, Mr. Abbas said the three teens are humans and Palestinians authorities want to protect human lives.
He said whoever grabbed the three want to destroy the Palestinian people.
But Mr. Abbas also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using the apparent kidnappings as an opportunity to crush the Palestinian people and wreak havoc. He said the Palestinians cannot endure a confrontation with Israel.
The president said the place to confront Israel is with arguments from behind international podiums, not with weapons.
The three teens disappeared last week while hitchhiking home from school in the West Bank.
Israeli forces have arrested dozens of Hamas militants as part of their search for the boys. Hamas denies kidnapping them.
Speaking before a gathering of Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia Wednesday, Mr. Abbas said the three teens are humans and Palestinians authorities want to protect human lives.
He said whoever grabbed the three want to destroy the Palestinian people.
But Mr. Abbas also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using the apparent kidnappings as an opportunity to crush the Palestinian people and wreak havoc. He said the Palestinians cannot endure a confrontation with Israel.
The president said the place to confront Israel is with arguments from behind international podiums, not with weapons.
The three teens disappeared last week while hitchhiking home from school in the West Bank.
Israeli forces have arrested dozens of Hamas militants as part of their search for the boys. Hamas denies kidnapping them.