|
December 2005
Action
Recommendations
It is crucial
that you join us on a full-scale advocacy effort to help bring
about an end to the inhumanity of captivity and to call for the
release of all Israeli MIAs and POWs. It is important to write to
your Senators, Representatives, the President and the Secretary of
State urging that this issue continue to be high on the agenda in
all relevant Middle East talks.
The following is a sample letter that you may choose to use or
adapt in your correspondence to the President, Secretary of State,
and your Representative. Send your letter to:
President Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500 |
Sec. of
State Rice
Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520 |
Honorable (Senator)
U. S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510 |
Honorable (Representative)
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515 |
Dear
_________________
While renewed efforts are underway to try to resolve many of the
issues of hostility between Israel and her neighbors, another
crucial issue warrants your immediate attention, that of the
missing Israeli soldiers.
Israeli soldiers Zachary Baumel, Tzvi Feldman, and Yehuda Katz
have been missing since 1982. Their abductions occurred in Syria
and they are being held in territories controlled by Syria.
Since that time Syria has not complied with the Red Cross or any
other international humanitarian organizations regarding
information as to the status, whereabouts or condition of these
soldiers. Among the many human rights violations committed by
Syria, including fostering and supporting the world’s most
dangerous terrorist groups responsible for the murder of
hundreds of Americans and Israelis and allowing Lebanon to be
used as a launching pad for terrorist attacks against Israel by
Hezbollah, Syria continues to hold these soldiers prisoner.
As the current focus is on Syria to withdraw completely from
Lebanon and disband and disarm the terrorist groups as per U.N.
Security Council Resolution 1559, Syria must also be held
accountable for these men. We believe that holding these MIA’s
without allowing them any visits from either their families or
humanitarian organizations is another egregious human rights
violation.
Zachary Baumel is an American citizen who immigrated to Israel
with his family in the 1970’s. Captured during the 1982 war with
Lebanon in the battle of Sultan Yakub, Zachary is being held for
more than 23 years now. His family’s pain and anxiety are
immeasurable.
We believe that this is a crucial time for the United States
government to raise this issue in all talks with all the
relevant Middle East parties. Syria must be held accountable for
its deplorable human rights record including holding these men
captive for more than 22 years.
The agony of the Baumel family and of the Katz and Feldman
families is extreme. They have not heard a word from Syria
regarding the fate of their sons who are being held captive for
political ransom. We urge you to do all within your means to
resolve this urgent human rights issue. The terrible plight of
those held captive is a matter of urgency and we hope that you
will find a way to respond quickly to this appeal.
Sincerely,
INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS •
ORTHODOX UNION • 11 BROADWAY • NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004 •
212-613-8124
|
