January, 2001

Urgent Action Needed

On October 7, 2000, three Israeli soldiers were abducted by Hizballah while on operational duty along Israel’s border with Lebanon.  The soldiers are Sergeant Adi Avitan of Tiberias, Staff Sergeant Binyamin Avraham of Bnei Brak and Staff Sergeant Omer Souad of Salma. They are believed to have been wounded during the incident.

Israel has embarked on intensive diplomatic efforts to bring about the release of the soldiers in cooperation with the United Nations, the United States, Russia and Germany.  Requests have been made to United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan and to the leaders of the International Red Cross to help receive information about their condition and whereabouts and to assist in the timely  release of the three soldiers. 

It is crucial that you join us on a full scale advocacy campaign to help bring about an end to the inhumanity of this captivity and to call for the release of Omer Souad, Binyamin Avraham, and Adi Avitan.  It is important to write to President Bush, Secretary Powell, Secretary General Kofi Anan, and to members of the United States Congress urging that they do all they can to help secure the immediate release of the soldiers.

OU.ORG has provided a sample letter that you may choose to use or adapt in your correspondence to these officials.  Send your letters to:

Sample Letter