B’nai B’rith International condemns in the strongest possible terms the wanton murder of a Palestinian teen, reportedly by Israeli extremists. We commend Israeli police for acting swiftly to arrest those charged with participating in this vigilante act.

Sixteen-year-old Muhammad Abu Khdeir was kidnapped and later found beaten and burned, possibly in retaliation for the kidnapping and murders of three Israeli teens.  The Israeli government has charged Hamas with carrying out the murders of Naftali Fraenkel, 16, Gilad Shaar, 16, and Eyal Yifrach, 19, who were abducted as they returned home from school on June 12. Their bodies were found on June 30.

There is no justification for this outrageous, despicable disregard for human life from any quarter. If found guilty, the six suspects should face the maximum prison time the Israeli judicial system allows.