Abducted troops' families: Twice disappointed
Families of kidnapped IDF soldiers meet with Olmert, express disappointment in PM's empty promises, specifically lifting of blockade on Lebanon
Thursday afternoon, families of the IDF's kidnapped soldiers gave a press conference following their meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Benny Regev, brother of Eldad Regev, said that the Israeli government was once again acting against the interests of the state and of the captive soldiers.
The families had met with Olmert in Tel Aviv pursuant to his decision to lift the aerial and naval blockade on Lebanon as of Thursday evening at 6 p.m. "Since last night (Wednesday), when we heard on the news that the blockade would be lifted, we have had a very hard time. In the meeting with the PM, we expressed our strong disapprobation of lifting the blockade," Regev said.
"This is the second time that the government of Israel has acted against the interests of the state and doesn't secure the return of the boys. I'm very disappointed that our soldiers are not coming home – and that Udi and Eldad remain there," he added.
According to the brother, "the prime minister said that he would do everything to return the boys home. I very much hope that he'll keep his word, unlike his previous promises, which were not kept. He kept claiming ardently and unconditionally to do everything to get the boys back. We bought this answer twice – regarding the ceasefire and lifting of the blockade (on Lebanon) – and were disappointed," he concluded.
Passing days, endangered lives
Miki Goldwasser, mother of Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser, said: "These 56 days, in which we lived in constant fear and lack of sleep, perhaps make me look worse but don't weaken me in my struggle. We're here in order to demand that the government increase its efforts to locate and release our sons. Every day that passes endangers their lives."
"Whoever doesn't believe in their mortal danger can see the videos of the 2000 kidnapping, which was identical to the kidnapping of my son. If lessons had been learned, this would not have happened," she declared.
Abducted troops' families during meeting (Photo: Niv Calderon)
"Up until now, the boys haven't returned despite all of the promises. During the meeting today (Thursday), I was less and less moderate in my demands. I will continue to be less moderate. I demand actions to bring my son home," she continued.
One-sided implementation
Shlomo Goldwasser, Ehud's father, added: "We expressed to the prime minister our disappointment in the various international representatives who oversaw things, such as Annan and various ambassadors."
"We reminded the PM of the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701 and emphasized that we expect those nations who are undersigned and who so stridently demand implementation of all clauses concerning Lebanon, to also implement the resolution as it regards our sons. We highlighted the fact that UNSCR 1701 is only being implemented in one direction," he said.
"The prime minister said that he is doing everything regarding the release of our boys and said that the blockade wasn't being lifted, but rather replaced by international forces. We expect the Israel government immediately to acquire a mediator to negotiate directly between Israel and Hizbullah for the release of our sons," Goldwasser continued.
"We demanded that the PM release Lebanese prisoners for our boys. I don't believe there is any way other than direct negotiation...It depends only on direct mediation and a certain price for them," he stated.
Must do everything necessary
Professor Yaakov Neman who is helping the families concluded the press conference: "It's important to remember that if we don't do immediately everything necessary to secure the soldiers' release, it means that the state of Israel is abandoning her sons, just like Ron Arad. Twenty years. We saw yesterday and the day before on TV the results of doing such a thing."
"Lifting the blockade harms the kidnapped soldiers. The families demand from the government immediately to do everything necessary, and the state has opportunities to do this."
The families were angered by the decision to lift the blockade, saying they had received an unwritten promise that it would not be lifted prior to receiving a sign of life from the two soldiers. They fear that lifting the blockade has removed the last means of exerting Israeli pressure to receive information on the fate of their sons.
