Thanks for the reply. I read the online edition of the Times and have been following the hostage taking and thought I had missed that article. I did keep your post and will re-read it. Bernstein seems to have an understanding of the situation.
It's appalling what happened to these children. There is no excuse in this world for any "side" to involve children in their disputes. They the hostage takers are nothing more than cowards.
My only hope seems to lie with the women of the world.