'We sensed that the rabbi is emotionally involved in our case, and he prayed for the boys' safe return home,' captive soldier's father says ahead of cabinet decision on prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah
The families of kidnapped IDF soldiers Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev met Sunday morning with Shas spiritual leader Rabbi Ovadia Yosef and with the party's chairman, Eli Yishai ahead of the cabinet's expected decision regarding the bourgeoning prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah.
Heavy Price
Poll: 61% of Israelis in favor of releasing Kuntar / Ynet
On eve of potential prisoner swap between Israel and Hizbullah, public expresses support for deal even in return for bodies of kidnapped soldiers Goldwasser and Regev. Defense Minister Barak to meet with captives' families Friday
During the 20-minute meeting, which took place at the rabbi's home in Jerusalem, Ovadia asked Yishai to update him on the prisoner exchange deal.
Shlomo Goldwasser said the rabbi blessed each family member separately. "We felt that he is emotionally involved in our case, and he prayed for the boys' safe return home," Ehud's father said.
The families are scheduled to meet with several ministers and senior officials to garner support for the deal.
Regev and Goldwasser were kidnapped by Lebanese Hizbullah gunmen during a cross-border raid on June 12, 2006.
On Friday the Goldwasser and Regev families met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak to discuss the possible prisoner swap.
"We are on the brink of a deal with Hizbullah for our sons' return," Eldad's father Zvi said, "now we are waiting for the government to approve it."
Last week Miki Goldwasser, mother of Ehud, sent a harsh letter to
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in which she urged the cabinet to vote in favor of the exchange deal for the return of the captive troops.
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