The mother of one of the prime suspects in the kidnapping of three Israeli teens two weeks ago says that if her son committed the crime, she would be “proud of him.”
Israeli security officials on Thursday named two Palestinians from Hebron, Amer Abu Aysha, 33, and Marwan Kawasme, 29, as the key suspects in the abduction who disappeared at the same time as the kidnapped teens and have not been seen since. Both are reported to be Hamas members.
The mother of Amer Abu Aysha told Channel 10 she’d be “proud” of her son if he was involved in the abduction. (Image source: Channel 10)
In an interview with Israel’s Channel 10 on Sunday, Abu Aysha’s mother denied her son was involved, but at the same time voiced pride if it turns out he was behind the abduction.
"They're throwing the guilt on him by accusing him of kidnapping. If he truly did it - I'll be proud of him till my final day," she said.
The mother, whose name wasn’t reported, said that Abu Aysha told his wife on the morning of the kidnapping that he might be late coming home from work.
"If he did the kidnapping I'll be proud of him,” she said. “I raised my children on the knees of the (Islamic) religion, they are religious guys, honest and clean-handed, and their goal is to bring the victory of Islam," added Abu Aysha’s mother.
The Israeli government last week named Amer Abu Aysha, left, and Marwan Kawasme as the key suspects in the kidnapping (Photo: Israeli government handout)
As the Israel Defense Forces continue the massive manhunt for the boys, Gilad Shaar, 16, Eyal Yifrach, 19, and Naftali Frenkel, 16, who is a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, several relatives of Abu Aysha have also been arrested, including his father Omar, Channel 10 reported.
Abu Aysha’s mother criticized Palestinian Authority security forces for aiding in the search.
"May Allah take revenge on them," she said. "They are helping the IDF."
Abu Aysha’s father Omar told the Times of Israel last week that his son was last seen at a family gathering the night of the kidnapping and had not been seen since.
The father, Omar, has himself served time in Israeli prisons for ties with Hamas, the Times of Israel and Channel 10 reported.
(H/T: Arutz Sheva)
