Crisis Brings Israelis Together in Prayer

When three teenagers, Eyal Yifrach (19), Naftali Frenkel (16) and Gilad Sha’ar (16), were kidnapped by terrorists, the country sprang into action. The largest ground search in Israel’s history was conducted by the army, police and security forces. The hearts of the entire country were moved for the boys and their families. A cry went out for people to gather at the Western Wall and pray. They came by the thousands and during the days that followed the kidnapping, Israelis continued to pray and offer support to the families of the young teens. Tragically, on the eighteenth day after the boys were abducted, their bodies were found in a shallow grave about 20 km (12 mi) from the place they were last seen. Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin spoke for the nation when he said, “What we feared has come to pass. Our fear was deep but we carried in our hearts the hope that even murderous terrorists would spare the teens. Our hearts at this difficult time are with the brave families who will forever be a symbol of heroism and hope in the most difficult times.”