Government Vice-President and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos made the following statement regarding the murder of the three Israeli teenagers who had been abducted in the West Bank:

“We condemn in the most unequivocal manner the atrocious murder of the three Israeli teenagers who were abducted on 12 June, in the West Bank, and were found yesterday, near Hebron. There is nothing that can justify or legitimize blind violence against innocent civilians. We express our deep condolences and the support of the Greek government and all Greeks to the families of the victims and to the Israeli people. In the wake of this tragedy, there is an even greater need to avoid the escalation of violence. The whole of the international community must work to avert the repetition of similar actions and to help peace and security prevail in the region.”