Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) delivered an impassioned speech on the Senate floor Thursday afternoon, imploring the US to finally take action over the abduction of Naftali Frenkel, a 16-year-old US citizen, as well as Gilad Sha'ar (16), and Eyal Yifrah (19).
"This should be on the front page of every paper in the United States, because this is an issue which is as vital to us as it is to the nation of Israel." Cruz began. News coverage of the abduction in the US has been severely limited at best, biased toward Hamas kidnappers at worst.
"Just imagine if these were your children, or any children you know," he continued. "Just imagine if your child was kidnapped for fourteen days - and you don't know where they are, or even whether they're still alive."
Cruz explained how the boys - "smart, hardworking, diligent students" - were kidnapped on their way home from school. "These boys weren't doing anything wrong," he said.
"These are teenagers who were targeted for who they are, who have done no wrong, who have done nothing that comes near to deserving what has happened to them that day while waiting at the bus stop to go home from school."
Cruz then demanded that the US sever all ties with Hamas, a "vicious terror organization" that he points out has not only killed Israelis, but "many Americans."
"There can be no more illusions that Hamas has any role in any future government formed by the Palestinian Authority," he urged. "They must not receive any further recognition or legitimization."
"Hamas is a violent terrorist organization ready and eager to brutalize the most innocent. Hamas is a terrorist organization that kidnaps three innocent school boys."
"Hamas, give the boys back," he said. "Hamas, give those boys back now."