National Passover Alert
April 2003

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 more than 20 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!"

AND, TRAGICALLY, ANOTHER FIVE SONS, AND MORE QUESTIONS

Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, Omar Souad, Elchanan Tanenbaum, and Guy Chever

These are the names of another four 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?
While on operational duty along the border fence in the Dov mountain range along Israel’s border with Lebanon. Sgt. Adi Avitan of Tiberias, Staff Sgt. Binyamin Avraham of Bnei Brak and Staff Sgt. Omar Souad of Salma were abducted by Hezbollah on October 7, 2000 in a clear-cut violation of international law. All three are believed to have been wounded during the incident. Israeli businessman Elchanan Tanenbaum shortly thereafter was abducted by Hezbollah while on a business trip in Europe. Guy Chever, a soldier in the Israeli army, disappeared from his army base in the Golan Heights on August 17th, 1997.

2) Why are these prisoners different from all other prisoners?
They have been denied the basic human rights guaranteed by international law and are being treated as hostages rather than as prisoners of war. They have been denied any form of contact with their families, nor with any Israeli governmental or human rights organizations or international human rights organizations including the Red Cross.

3) Why are these hostages different from all other hostages?
Adi Avitan, Benny Avraham, and Omar Souad were sent on an operational mission, the purpose of which was to guard the northern border after Israel withdrew from Lebanon, in total compliance with UN Resolution 425. Israel had done so in the hope of obtaining a peaceful situation on the northern border with Lebanon. Instead, Hezbollah kidnapped these three soldiers via ambush with explosives, rockets and mortars and took them hostage. Hezbollah willfully kidnapped Elchanan Tanenbaum and took him hostage. Guy Chever is still missing. So far, we have had no sign as to their condition or whereabouts.

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!"

Please bring this to your seudah during the seder for discussion.

A C T I O N   R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

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 your Senators, Members of Congress, the President and the Secretary of State urging that this issue continue to be high on the agenda in all peace 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:

Dear :

While efforts are underway to bring calm to the Middle East and to try to resolve many of the issues of hostility between Israel and her neighbors, another crucial issue warrants your immediate attention. This is the humanitarian issue of the missing Israeli soldiers.

Israeli soldiers Yehuda Katz, Zachary Baumel, and Tzvi Feldman have been missing since 1982. Their abductions occurred in Syria and they are being held in territories controlled by Syria. So far, Syria has not complied with the Red Cross regarding giving information on the status of the soldiers. Reports also indicate that Israeli Air Force Navigator Ron Arad is still being held by an Iranian-backed group somewhere in Lebanon. Ron Arad has been missing since 1986, when he parachuted from his stricken aircraft and landed in southern Lebanon.

On October 7, 2000, IDF combat engineers Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad were brutally kidnapped by Hezbollah while on routine patrol on Israel’s northern border. Their families and the Red Cross have been denied any access to these young men, and the UN has not released all the information it has about this case.

Elchanan Tannenbaum (Col., res.) was kidnapped by Hezbollah on October 15, 2000 while on a business trip in Europe. The Red Cross has been denied any access to him and his children have been unable to confirm the delivery of his medications to him via the Red Cross.

Guy Chever, an IDF soldier, was last seen at his base in the Golan Heights on August 17, 1997. Dressed in his uniform and carrying his military identification papers, he disappeared without a trace and is still missing to date.

The agony of the families of these kidnapped Israeli soldiers is extreme. They have not heard a word regarding the fate of their sons, husbands, and fathers, 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 to this appeal.

Sincerely,

More about the MIAs
 

FREE THE ISRAELI MIAS TODAY!!