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Charleston Daily Mail: McKinley and lawmkers send letter to Sec. of State John Kerry about kidnapped Israeli teens

Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., is just one of 65 members of Congress who want to see kidnapped Israeli teenagers returned home safely.

McKinley wrote a letter, with the support of 65 members of Congress, to Secretary of State John Kerry and the State Department, urging them to find the three teenagers and ensure their safe return home. The teens were kidnapped more than 10 days ago in the West Bank, and Israeli authorities believe the kidnapping was the work of Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

“These kidnapped teenagers are not enemy combatants and should not be held as prisoners of war,” McKinley said. “They are simply students who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

One of the teens holds dual Israeli and American citizenship, making the crime “a matter concerning an American citizen in danger,” McKinley said.

“We’re asking Secretary of State John Kerry to use his full authority to demand the release of these teenagers and to pressure the Palestinian Authority to take further action,” McKinley said.