- The Washington Times - Sunday, July 6, 2014

U.S. lawmakers and officials said Sunday they expect both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to seek justice after a spate of back-and-forth violence that began with the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens last week.

Since then, violence has erupted on both sides and a Palestinian youth has been killed, potentially as revenge amid the widespread belief the extremist Hamas group is responsible for the trio’s deaths.

“In both instances, we have to condemn acts of violence in the strong possible terms,” Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr., Pennsylvania Democrat, told Fox News Sunday.

He said the Israelis appear committed to holding criminals responsible.

“I would hope and expect the Palestinians would do the same thing, but that remains to be seen,” he said.

Ron Dermer, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, said Israelis will not hold up their perpetrators as heroes, which the other side has been known to do.

“That’s the difference between our societies and it’s a difference we should never forget,” he told Fox.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.

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