Spain condemns kidnapping of Israeli soldiers

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Spain on Thursday condemned the kidnapping of two Israeli soldiers by Hizbullah, and called on the Israeli forces to use restraint in their retaliation. In a statement, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said the kidnapping and subsequent Israeli reaction "opens a flank of instability, which adds to the deteriorating Israeli-Palestinian peace process." "The Spanish government, very worried about these grave incidents, demands an end to the armed aggression against Israel and the immediate liberation of the kidnapped soldiers," the statement said. It also called on "Israel to act with moderation and in proportion to these events given the need to avoid a spreading of violence, which would put the stability of the region in danger and would have as its principal victim, once again, the civilian population." The ministry said the Spanish government was in permanent contact with all sides with the aim of easing tension and contributing to solving the crisis.