Abbas-and-Netanyahu ( Photo: Reuters)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday telephoned Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas and said he expected him to help ensure the safe return of three kidnapped teenagers, a statement said.
"I expect you to help in the return of the kidnapped youths and the capture of the kidnappers," he told Abbas in what was their first telephone contact in months.
Meanwhile, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Monday condemned the kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers, but also hit out at the massive Israeli crackdown aimed at finding those responsible, a statement said.
"The Palestinian presidency... condemns the series of events that happened last week, beginning with the kidnapping of three Israeli youths," it said, also denouncing a massive wave of Israeli arrests during which a young Palestinian was killed near Ramallah overnight.
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