Saving Ron Arad
Yesterday's 12-11 cabinet approval of the proposed exchange between Israel and Hezbollah was shameful. While obtaining the bodies of the three soldiers killed by Hezbollah and the release of Elchanan Tannenbaum are very important, the price Israel agreed to pay is far too high, especially since no information regarding Ron Arad and Israel's other MIAs will be forthcoming, even as Israel would give up their prime bargaining chips for the MIAs.
As of now, however, it is not clear that the exchange will take place, as Hezbollah is now demanding that a Lebanese murderer of an Israeli family (inside their house) also be included.
If there is a positive aspect to this tragic situation, it is that the vigorous debate on the issue has again focused extensive attention on Arad's plight (though, unfortunately, less so on the plight of Zachary Baumel, Zvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz, who have been missing since a June 11, 1982 battle, in the first days of the Lebanon War). Given the cruelty of Israel's enemies, it is difficult to be optimistic, but hopefully this attention will finally result in the MIAs safe return home, or, if some or all are no longer alive, a return of their bodies, and some amount of closure for their suffering families.
posted on 11/10/2003
