For Immediate Release
Office of the White House Press Secretary
July 12, 2006
Statement on Condemnation of Hizballah Kidnapping of Two Israeli Soldiers
www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060712.html

Today Hizballah terrorists operating from Lebanon kidnapped two Israeli
soldiers and launched rocket attacks against civilian targets in Israel. The
United States condemns in the strongest terms this unprovoked act of
terrorism, which was timed to exacerbate already high tensions in the region
and sow further violence. We also hold Syria and Iran, which have provided
long-standing support for Hizballah, responsible for today's violence. We
call for the immediate and unconditional release of the Israeli soldiers.

Hizballah's terrorist operations threaten Lebanon's security and are an
affront to the sovereignty of the Lebanese Government. Hizballah's actions
are not in the interest of the Lebanese people, whose welfare should not be
held hostage to the interests of the Syrian and Iranian regimes. We
reiterate the international community's insistence that all parties in the
region fulfill their obligations under UN Security Council resolutions 1559
and 1680, and cease all support for Hizballah.
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