Zvi Regev: Do something
Photo: Doron Golan
Miki Goldwasser: Be careful
Photo: Adi Freund
Regev: Stop the talking, do something
Kidnapped soldiers' families take part in ceremony held by organization encouraging youths to enlist. Goldwasser: They have to be careful and alert
"I am asking my prime minister, Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, to stop the talking and the declarations. It's time to do something and return our boys to us. While we are celebrating the holiday of freedom (Passover), they have none," Zvi Regev, father of kidnapped soldier Eldad Regev, said at an event organized by 'Aharai' - a group working to encourage youths to enlist in combat units.
Over 500 students involved with the organization participated in the ceremony, which was held under the banner of 'banishing the apathy,' in honor of Israel's kidnapped soldiers. The event was preceded by a two-week hike to the Carmel mountain near Haifa as part of Aharai's efforts to prepare the youths for the physical trials of combat service while hoping to instill important values as well.
During his speech before the pupils, Regev said, "The pain is too great to bear, but we are hopeful that all three boys, Eldad, Udi, and Gilad, will return to us soon. We need to take advantage of every opportunity to pay the price to get them home."
Shlomo Goldwasser told the youths that "the citizens of Israel should rely on you, but you should also go out with the security of knowing that those who sent you would do anything to get you back safely."
He added that pressure is being applied on the government in order to remind them of the issue's weight, but that one must remember that Hizbullah is the real enemy. "They are a cruel enemy, and have made it their goal to turn the kidnapping into a weapon to be used against us. We must not allow them to do so."
Miki Goldwasser told Ynet that she has difficulty standing before youths about to enlist into combat service, while her son remains in captivity. "Whenever I see young people about to enlist the problem arises," she said.
"On one hand, it is our country and we have no choice but to send them to the army, but on the other hand I tell them that they have to be careful and alert," she added.
Colonel (Res) Yoram Yair, one of the founders of Aharai, also spoke about the loss of motivation among youths due to enlist, because of Israel's inability to negotiate the release of the kidnapped soldiers. "Israel worries about the soldiers in captivity, and we want the pupils to relate to this. It is important for everyone to feel they are doing their part and helping matters."
