Karnit Goldwasser
Photo: AP
Wife of kidnapped soldier raises money for north
Karnit and Shlomo Goldwaser, wife and father of kidnapped soldier Ehud, fly to US to raise public awareness of kidnapped soldiers. There they raise millions from Jewish communities for northern Israelis
WASHINGTON - Karnit and Shlomo Goldwasser, the wife and father of kidnapped soldier Ehud Goldwasser, arrived in the United States in order to bring public attention to the kidnapped soldiers. At the same time, they raised millions of dollars for residents of northern Israel.
The main aim of their arrival in the US was to make the return of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev, and Ehud Goldwaser included in any diplomatic arrangement agreed upon.
In addition, they spoke before American Jewish audiences, and received donations for northern residents, for televisions and air conditioners for bomb shelters, and for summer camps for children.
In an event in Washington, USD 7 million was raised, while at another event in Baltimore a further USD 6 million were raised from donations by local Jews.
On Wednesday, Karnit and Shlomo reached the west coast, and held a press conference organized by the local consulate in LA, in order to present the personal face of the kidnapped soldiers.
Karnit appeared at the start of the evening at an event held by the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles in which USD 2 million was raised. At the same time, a Jewish Iranian organization held its own event and raised USD 1.4 million.
Standing ovation
When Goldwasser entered the hall, the fundraising was at its peak, and all of the attendants rose to give her an ovation for five long minutes.
When she told her personal story, many were moved. "She spoke and those listening cried," Ehud Danoch of the Israeli Consulate said.
After Goldwasser's speech, the donations rose to USD 2.2 million.
A local millionaire who asked to remain anonymous said he would give a dollar for every dollar raised at the event. Thus by the end of the evening a sum of USD 4.4 million was raised by Jews from Iran, all of which will be transferred to northern residents.
Kaanit and Shlomo Goldwaser were invited to the United States by the United Jewish Communities.
