WASHINGTON (JTA) – Legislation introduced in Congress would post a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture of the killers of Naftali Fraenkel, the Israeli-American teen abducted with two others and murdered last month in the West Bank.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Co.) authored the legislation concerning Fraenkel, who was abducted on June 12 along with Israelis Eyal Yifrach and Gilad Shaar. Their bodies were found June 30.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) co-sponsored the legislation in the House.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Hamas is behind the kidnappings and killings, which were an element leading to the bombing campaign Israel launched this week against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“The Israeli government’s recent action against Hamas is a just and appropriate mission to both bring the terrorists responsible to justice, and to degrade their capability to launch further attacks,” Cruz said. “No one doubts Israel’s ability to carry out this mission, but given Naftali’s citizenship, I believe the United States should demonstrate our clear support for Israel by offering a reward as we traditionally have in terrorist attacks involving Americans.”
The bill would require Secretary of State John Kerry to use the Rewards for Justice program to offer a $5 million reward.
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