President Isaac Herzog met today (Sunday) with German Prime Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and strongly attacked the statement of the Irish Prime Minister who claimed that the kidnapped Emily Hand "was lost and found".
In his words, Herzog emphasized the outrageous statements of political leaders against Israel. "I must state that I am surprised, and even shocked, to see and hear statements from various leaders in the world, and even the leaders of certain countries in the European Union, who are not willing to look at reality as it is and are careful to maintain hypocrisy and a double standard when it comes to Israel," he said.
European leaders ignore the reality - shameful
According to the president, "It is permissible to argue, it is permissible to disagree, it is permissible to criticize - we are a vibrant democracy. But there is a limit, and the limit is in facts and reality. The announcement by the Prime Minister of Ireland tonight regarding the release of 8-year-old Emily Hand was unacceptable."
He also noted, "Emily did not get lost. Emily did not go for a walk and lose her way. Emily was kidnapped at gunpoint by monstrous and vile murderers, and was held captive with no connection to her family, the world, or even the Red Cross."
Herzog pointed out to the German Prime Minister the neglect of European leaders to use words associated with Hamas. "Countries, and certainly the leaders of countries, and certainly the leaders of the member states of the European Union, should first of all show responsibility and tell the truth: Emily was kidnapped from her home in Israel by Hamas terrorists."
According to the president, "Emily and her family are Israeli victims of the terrorist organization Hamas. The care not to mention any of the words - "Israel", "kidnapping", "terrorists" or "Hamas" - is shameful, ignores the reality and the facts, and is not in line with moral values, humanity and peace".
Finally, he referred to the release of the abductees as part of the third phase. "I repeat: We will continue - as a people and as a state - to work for the return of all our sons and daughters until the last one of them - as a first and foremost moral obligation; and the psychological terror that Hamas operates every day will not divert us from our just, honest and determined path."