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NATIONAL
PASSOVER ALERT
March 2002
FOUR
MORE SONS: FOUR MORE QUESTIONS
Ron Arad,
Zachary Baumel, Tzvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz
These are the
names of four Israeli sons who cannot be at our seder table this
year. Since they cannot ask their questions at our table, we are
asking four more questions for them at our seder this year.
1) Why are these sons different from all other sons? While
fighting for their people and the security of the State of Israel,
these sons, soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces, were captured
in Lebanon and taken prisoner.
2) Why are these prisoners different from all other prisoners?
These missing soldiers have been denied the basic human rights
guaranteed by international law. They have been treated as
hostages rather than as prisoners of war and have been denied any
form of contact with their families, or with any Israeli or
international human rights organizations.
3) Why are these hostages different from all other hostages?
These sons are being held hostage years after international
efforts have secured the release of all the other Western hostages
who were held in Lebanon. Zachary Baumel, Tzvi Feldman, and Yehuda
Katz were captured in 1982 and Ron Arad in 1986. In spite of
Israel's aid in securing the release of the other Western
hostages, the Israeli hostages were not included with the release
of the others. Arab governments and other Arab leaders refuse to
divulge any information about the conditions under which they are
being held. The pain and anxiety that their families and friends
are undergoing is immeasurable.
4) Why do we raise the issue of Israeli soldiers who are missing
in action at the seder on Passover? They are being held
prisoner and not allowed their freedom. Passover, the festival of
freedom, reminds us that only those who remember enslavement can
fully appreciate their freedom. Israel is still fighting for the
release of their soldiers, and we must do all that we can in order
to help. We must implore our elected officials to fight for the
return of these four sons. We earnestly request world leaders to
seek the moral core of humanity, to transcend political
differences and in the name of the parents and families of the
missing young soldiers, "FREE OUR SONS!"
NATIONAL PASSOVER ALERT
March 2002
AND,
TRAGICALLY, MORE MISSING SONS AND MORE QUESTIONS
Elchanan
Tanenbaum and Guy Chever
These are the
names of another two Israeli sons who cannot be at our seder table
this year. Since they cannot ask their questions at our table, we
are asking another four questions for them at our seder this year.
1) Why are these sons different from all other sons? Israeli
businessman Elchanan Tanenbaum was abducted while on a business
trip in Europe on October 15th, 2000 shortly after the kidnapping
of three Israeli soldiers along the Lebanese border by Hezbollah.
Guy Chever, a soldier in the Israeli army, disappeared from his
army base on the Golan Heights on August 17th, 1997.
2) Why are these prisoners different from all other prisoners?
Elchanan Tanenbaum has been denied the basic human rights
guaranteed by international law and is being treated as a hostage
rather than as a prisoner of war. He has been denied any form of
contact with his family, nor with any Israeli governmental or
human rights organizations or international human rights
organizations including the Red Cross. There has been no
information about Guy Chever.
3) Why are these hostages different from all other hostages?
Hezbollah willfully kidnapped Elchanan Tanenbaum and took him
hostage. So far, we have had no sign as to his condition or
whereabouts – numerous pleas from his family have been ignored. No
information regarding Guy Chever has been forthcoming.
4) Why do we raise the issue of these Israeli soldiers who are
missing in action at the seder on Passover? All Jews the world
over must fight for the freedom of Jews who are held captive.
Pidyon Shevuyim is a mitzvah of the highest priority and we are
commanded to fulfill it. On behalf of these missing soldiers, we
implore the International Red Cross to do everything possible in
order for them to be released and brought home. We beseech Kofi
Anan, Secretary General of the UN and the American government to
do their utmost in order to obtain a sign of life and information
about their condition. As this time of Chag HaPesach, we stand
with Israel and the families of the MIAs to combine our strengths
and to fight for the return of these four sons. In the name of
justice and humanity, we urge world leaders, international human
rights organizations, and the United States government to help
"FREE OUR SONS!"
Sample
Letter
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