Marching north for the kidnapped soldiers

Relatives, friends, concerned citizens participate in procession marking 6 months since Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev's kidnapping by Hizbullah. 'We must remind gov't public awaits their return and will fight for it,' friend says

Roi Mandel|Published: 01.12.07 , 12:23

Friday morning dozens of vehicles of family members, friends and volunteers left in a long procession from Jerusalem, through Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Mizpe Hila to Zerit which is on the northern border.

The procession marks six months since Israeli soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were taken captive, and aims to get them, and kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit in Gaza, back home.

"We know that this is on the top of the public's agenda, but we want to get it through to the heads of the public's representatives," said Ofer Regev, Eldad's brother.

Procession to the north passing through Tel Aviv. (Photo: Niv Calderon)

The friends and family were joined by dozens of motorcycles from the Motorcycles Club of Israel and citizens in their private cars who identified with the issue and joined the procession spontaneously.

The long line of vehicles will pass by the homes of the three soldiers and will come to an end in Zerit. From there soldiers and family members will continue to the spot where the Hummer vehicle was attacked by Hizbullah militants and the soldiers abducted.

"I cannot describe the difficulty in words, and I suppose that when I am there it will be even harder. I don’t know how I will handle it," said Ofer Regev, Eldad's brother.

It's simply unbelievable, the situation is horrible. Six months without any solid information that they are at least alive. I wouldn't wish this on anyone and we must remind everyone of this. The procession has come to remind everyone that they have been there for six months now and that Israel is not fulfilling its duty."

Poster calling for the soldiers' return. (Photo: Niv Calderon)

"All night I couldn’t shut my eyes, I keep thinking about the moment when we reach the spot of the kidnapping," said Moti Maarvai, the sergeant major of the reserves company who was supposed to be on duty at the time but was attacked and replaced by Goldwasser.

I know the spot like I know myself and I have been there dozens of time, but this time, my stomach is really in knots. The leadership must be unified and devoted to the mission of bringing them home."

'Will mention them every minute'

Azi Winkler, deputy company sergeant major and a friend of the two kidnapped soldiers said that "we must remind people in this country and in the government that there is a whole public who is waiting for their return home, and plans to fight for it. I am sure that Udi (Ehud) and Eldad are alive because two other soldiers left that Hummer alive. We will mention them every day, every minute, until they are brought back to us."

One of the organizers of the procession, Miki Leibovitch, who also organized the large rally in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv a few months ago, said that he did not expect so much time would pass before the captives were brought home.

"When we organized the rally we thought that it was a matter of a few weeks, we did not expect that six months would pass and we would be in the same situation. This is unbelievable and we will not give up and we will not let go until the political and military leadership starts working seriously," said Leibovitch.

Major-General (res.) Uzi Dayan also participated in the procession and added: "Unfortunately, Israel has not passed the test of reality. The prime minister and defense minister have not done what needs to be done so far, they are not guilty of the kidnappings but are responsible for the fact that they are still not home. The problem is that they are too busy, mainly with survival."