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Former captives feel they're being ignored
Doron – Yom Kippur War captive
Photo: Amit Shabi

Former prisoners of war: We've been forgotten

While war casualties take center stage, ex-captives say their stories have been suppressed

On the occasion of Remembrance Day, former Israeli prisoners of war say they feel slighted because they have not been granted their rightful place in the country's war heritage. The ex-captives say their personal stories have been suppressed or omitted from Israel's history.

 

"Captivity is seen as failure," one former POW said sadly, referring to abducted IDF soldiers still held in captivity. "There is a definite correlation between ignoring the stories of the former captives among us and the fact that Israel is not doing enough to release the present captives."

 

There are 700 former POWs living in Israel today, and despite the many years that have gone by since their release many of them are still tormented by horrific memories. Now they ask the state to more prominently display their stories of captivity as part of Israel's war heritage and collective memory.

 

The Erim BaLayla (Awake at Night) Society, formed during the '80s, opposed the slighting of the former captives, and in 2005 a bill was passed regarding their well-being. The law expressed Israel's appreciation for its POWs and determined that each former captive would receive NIS 1,000 (roughly $300) a month.

 

However, group members claim that this was not enough to assuage their feelings of being ignored. "According to Israeli values, war results in injuries and deaths, but not captives," group Chairman Rami Doron said.

 

Why is Shalit still in captivity?

Doron was a young platoon commander during the Yom Kippur War. After the Bar-Lev Line of fortifications was overrun by the Egyptians, Doron and his men surrendered. Thirty five of them fell captive, and Doron was held in the Egyptian prison for months, where he was subjected to severe torturing and endless questioning.

 

“What kept me alive was the belief that Israel would do everything in its power to bring me back home. Today, when my son is a soldier, I no longer carry that belief within me. In fact, I am not at all certain that the State would do all it can for him,” Doron says painfully.

 

Doron also says he fails to grasp Israel’s policy when it comes to efforts to release Gilad Shalit.

 

"I'm not sure the current leadership has the ability to make courageous decisions," he says. "The kidnapped IDF soldier is only a stone's throw away from Israel, yet he’s remained in captivity for two years. How could that be? Operation Entebbe spanned half way across the globe; Israel is clearly making less of an effort, the reason being its lack of courage, unwillingness, and perhaps the fact that it dislikes the 'captivity phenomenon.'"

 

Doron brings up the US as a counter example: “One day is dedicated every year for the captives and MIAs. On that day, flags are lowered to half mast, classes are held on the topic as part of the school curriculum, and Congress publishes an official Memorial Day document. Former captives receive a medal of honor and are recognized as partly disabled."

 

"It’s all a matter of difference in perception. We, as captives, had no doubt that we were better off returning home in coffins than surviving captivity," he says.

 

'Rules of the game have changed'

Hezi Shai, who was taken captive during the first Lebanon War by Ahmed Jibril’s organization, agrees that the term “captivity” has been pushed aside: “Captives are never mentioned during memorial days. The establishment dislikes captives, since being captured has an alleged message of desistance, defeat and humiliation."

 

"Of all the soldiers taken captive, the only one who became a hero is Uri Ilan, because he took his own life in captivity. Personally, I feel that dying in war is a sacred death, but if man is destined for captivity, he should choose to live,” said Shai.

 

Shai says he believes the rules of the game have changed during the first Lebanon War, since soldiers like him were taken captive by terrorist organizations.

 

“We have been told for years that terrorist organizations are not negotiation partners and yet we are suddenly expected to bargain with them. This sets off a difficult dilemma; I am sure Israel is making an effort and wants to fulfill its duty, but by wasting time bargaining on reducing the price we may end up paying more.”

 


פרסום ראשון: 05.06.08, 20:07
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