Rachel Frenkel: Good Reasons to Believe the Boys Are Alive

From Israel National News:

 Rachel Frenkel: Good Reasons to Believe the Boys Are Alive

by Yaakov Levi

Rachel Frenkel, mother of Naftali, one of the three Israeli teens kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, said that she was deeply moved by the army's efforts to find her son, along with Eyal Yifrah and Gilad Sha'ar, the other two kidnap victims.

Speaking on IDF Radio Sunday, Frenkel said that she was encouraged by the ongoing activity to find the boys. Despite the fact that over two weeks have passed with no indication of their fate or whereabouts, Frenkel said that she did not believe that “the search has reached a brick wall. As long as there is progress, we are hopeful.”

The IDF announced the names of two of the kidnappers last Thursday, but Frenkel said she had been told their identity soon after the kidnapping took place.

“The investigators were able to find this information out very quickly,” she said. With that, she added, “it has been very difficult for me to look at their photos. I can see the evil in their eyes. Unfortunately this is the situation.”

Frenkel also expressed appreciation to the artists and performers who were to appear Sunday night in a special rally in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv.

“We feel embraced by many people, and we wanted that the event should be a general one that would include everyone. Our message is one of solidarity, one for all and all for one – haredi Israelis, secular Israelis, Bedouin, Druze, and Muslims who have a conscience.”

The event, set for 7:30 PM, will feature appearances by many popular artists, including Miri Mesika, Koby Aflalo, David D'Or, Lior Narkis, Koby Oz, Dudu Fischer, Zvika Pik, Rami Kleinstein, and others.

“They are not 'symbols,' but real live children who are being held prisoner somewhere,” said Frenkel. “We miss our son terribly, and we are thinking constantly of what he must be going through."

"I try not to think too deeply, though, because those kinds of thoughts can deplete your energy. But we have good reason to be optimistic,” Frenkel said. “The signs point to their still being alive, and G-d willing with all the efforts and prayers I hope we will get them back alive.”