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February 19, 2008
An Absence of Hope
Nineteen months after the kidnapping of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev by the Lebanese Hezbollah, there has been a dramatic shift in the negotiations for their return. Until now, the Israeli government assumed that at least one and perhaps even both of the soldiers survived the Shiite militia's attack on their border patrol on July 12, 2006. But intelligence information suggests that this assumption was wrong (more...). According to information obtained by SPIEGEL, Jerusalem has now concluded that the two soldiers are dead.
Even in the absence of unequivocal evidence, the negotiators have already abandoned hope. Nevertheless, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is hesitant to publicly pronounce Goldwasser and Regev dead. It would be a bitter setback for Olmert, who defined the return of the soldiers as the objective of the Lebanon war in the summer of 2006.
Back in July of 2007, it was reported that at least one of them were dead, and it was denied by Nasrallah. No one cared then, and no one will care now, as no one cared when we suffered through reports that Gilad Shalit was gravely injured and in need of medical attention.
Nineteen months. Amazing how time marches on, while the world pressures Israel to make concessions to these terrorists even as it turns its back on Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser, and Eldad Regev, indifferent as to whether they are alive, or dead. I look at the remains of their humvee, and I wonder.
Were they alive when captured, were they injured? And if so, who treated their injuries, what medicines were they given by the animals who took them? I look at that humvee, and I believe that they were injured, and I know that they were likely just bandaged up and left to live or die on their own. If they were alive, or are alive, every additional day of captivity makes it more likely that they will never be free.
Their lives matter only to those who love them. To the terrorists, they are pawns, bargaining chips. To their country, they are an inconvenience. And to the rest of the world, their lives mean nothing. I hope and I pray for them, but I expect the worst, and with good reason. Their names and their faces had already faded from the news, and soon, the world will forget they ever existed, as they have forgotten other Israeli soldiers who have disappeared into the hands of terrorists, never to be seen or heard from again:
Three soldiers, captured by terrorists during a battle with Syrian and Palestinian forces near the Lebanese village of Sultan Yaqub. June 11, 1982. Twenty-five years ago, over 9,000 days.
Two soldiers captured with them were released in prisoner exchanges with Syria and Achmed Jibril's PFLP-GC (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command). Every once in a while, their names come up (including the 1988 Amnesty International Report and the 1993 Amnesty International December Update) but reports are conflicting and nothing is verifiable. Zachary Baumel is an American citizen.
Israeli air-force navigator Ron Arad was taken captive after his F-4 Phantom warplane went down over Lebanon. October 16, 1982. Twenty-four years ago, over 8,000 days.
Ron Arad was taken captive by Amal, a Lebanese Shi’ite militia group lead by Nabih Berri, who today is the speaker of the Lebanese Parliament. In 1987, Arad’s family received several letters and a photo of Arad confirming that the missing navigator was alive and in Amal’s hands. Mustafa Dirani, the Amal security chief who allegedly captured Ron Arad when his plane crashed in Lebanon, reportedly broke away from the terrorist group in 1987, taking Arad with him. It is believed that Dirani then "sold" Arad to either Hizbullah or Iranian elements.
According to Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, as recently as 2003, three former Iranian diplomats and intelligence officials living in Europe claimed that Ron Arad is alive and being held in a prison near Tehran. But these reports cannot be verified.
Twenty years later, we know nothing about the fate of Ron Arad, although I have my own thoughts on that.
Guy Hever, a soldier in the Israeli Army who was reportedly last seen standing at the Katzabiya junction, just a kilometer away from the Syrian border. He disappeared, and has not been heard of since. August 17, 1997. Ten years ago, over 3,500 days.
Does anyone remember these men today? Sadly, no, most people don't remember them, if they ever knew about them in the first place. Disappearing Jews don't make headlines. And if you notice where that link goes, well, its not anything in the mainstream media. Even dead Jews don't make headlines.
Posted by LindaSoG at February 19, 2008 07:12 AM
Comments
I will not forget. There is a hole in my heart that only having them accounted for, will fill.
Thanks for keeping us up to date. My bracelet stays on.
Posted by: Stepperg at February 19, 2008 09:26 AM
You're absolutely right, no one really cares what happens in Israel at the hands of the palestinians. I'm old enough to remember when Ron Arad disappeared and things were pretty much the same as now that we have lost these three soldiers. I will say that Olmert is absolutely the worst thing that has ever happened to Israel, and George W. Bush is second in line.
Posted by: Rene at February 19, 2008 07:23 PM
Its a shame if they are really dead, but you shouldn't assume that they were killed. they probably just died of their injuries. Too bad Isreal couldn't work out a way to get them back.
Posted by: Corrine at February 19, 2008 08:26 PM
It is encouraging to know that there are people around who still remember Zack and would help his return. We still receive unconfirmed reports that he is alive but after so many years it is hard to believe.
It was thoughtful of you to mention Guy Hever, he seems to be the most forgotten of them all.
Posted by: Yona at February 20, 2008 02:05 AM
Yona, yes I do I remember your son, and Guy Hever too. I am sure I am not alone in that.
Twenty-five years is such a long time, but until we know for sure, we must continue to hope. And pray.
Please know that you and your family are also in my thoughts and prayers.
Linda
Posted by: LindaSoG at February 20, 2008 04:11 AM
Linda is right, and she is not alone.
Many of us have not forgotten, and will never forget.
Posted by: Cassandra at February 20, 2008 06:23 AM
Linda is most definitely not alone! We continue to pray for them and remain hopeful.
Posted by: Laura at February 20, 2008 07:30 AM
May God rest these men in the Palm of His Hand and may these mothers find comfort.
...wish I knew what to say Yona but bless you and bless your son.
Posted by: sierrahome at February 20, 2008 07:43 AM
Your son is not forgotten, he is a hero. Thank you Linda for all you do to remind us great men we should not forget!
Posted by: Greta at February 20, 2008 07:48 AM
We are all in this together but some pay a much bigger price. The uncertaintly is a very terrible and cruel tactic and in itself is another form of terrorism; I am very sorry. We pray for you and him and your family.
Posted by: Jane at February 20, 2008 07:55 AM
Yona,
We will never forget and will be mindful to pray daily. These fine men are remembered always in our hearts. Never give up hope.
Posted by: Stepperg at February 20, 2008 11:15 AM
To the families of all these people I want you to know they are not forgotten. Linda helps us all to remember. My prayers for the health, safety and freedom of those imprisoned and my continuing hope that they will come home is all I can offer you. Eventually it will all work out. G-d will see to that.
Posted by: MitchM at February 20, 2008 11:30 AM
Thank you Linda, these men will never be forgotten and prayers are said for them every day and for their loved ones too.
Yona please know there are prayers for your son every day.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 20, 2008 05:07 PM
Our prayers are with all the hostages and their families.
Posted by: Vinnie at February 20, 2008 05:44 PM
Linda bless her heart keeps us on top these stories as heart breaking it is to be reminded, it's our duty to never forget. Yona, Your son and you are in my prayers.
Posted by: OzaoB at February 20, 2008 06:52 PM
Yona, may G-d bless you and your family. I have not forgotten either, and I pray for these heroes always.
Still wearing my bracelet, Linda.
Posted by: Beth at February 20, 2008 07:07 PM
Yona, bless you and your family. I assure you that we're in this fight against evil together...please be assured that there are many of us that feel this way and we're not about to give up either.
Posted by: SondraK at February 20, 2008 07:35 PM
Linda, your reminders keep fresh the crimes of the palestinians who have and continue to perpetrate atrocities against Israel and her people.
Yona, please know that there are indeed people out in the world who care. You and your family, the families of all the hostages are in my prayers.
Posted by: Melissa In Texas at February 20, 2008 10:57 PM