UJC Mourns Loss of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev,
Calls for Immediate Release of Gilad Shalit and all Israelis in Captivity

Montclair – United Jewish Communities of MetroWest NJ President, Gary O. Aidekman read excerpts of the following statement at an Israel 60th anniversary celebration hosted by Assemblyman Thomas P. Giblin at Congregation Shomrei Emunah:

Two years ago, the terrorist organization Hezbollah abducted two Israelis, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. Tragically, until today, their families, their government, and all others of us who cared about their fate had not received one word about their whereabouts or well-being, defying international law and a basic principle of human dignity. Their captors refused to allow the International Red Cross to visit them or to receive proper medical attention. U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, passed in the aftermath of the Israeli war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, called for all this, as well as their unconditional release. Especially grave is the fact that these unprovoked abductions were carried out on sovereign Israeli territory.

Today, they have returned home, and on behalf of United Jewish Communities of MetroWest, we mourn the loss of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev and extend our condolences to their families. As is our tradition, we say, “May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.” We note that the Jewish values which define the nation of Israel dictate that it would do all possible to bring them home, even to make painful concessions. We join the Government of Israel in thanking the UN-appointed German mediator Gerhard Konrad for his efforts in securing their release.

We remain deeply troubled by the on-going captivity of Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped from sovereign Israeli territory over two years ago by the terrorist group Hamas. This is the same group which controls the Gaza Strip and which continues to seek normalized relations with the West. We call for Shalit’s immediate release and for Hamas to act in a manner consistent with universal humanitarian standards before making demands on Israel or the West.

We cannot help but turn our thoughts to the other Israelis held captive at this time – long-missing Israelis Ron Arad, Zachary Baumel, Yehuda Katz, Tzvi Feldman, Guy Hever, and Majdy Halabi.

We will continue to seek information about the whereabouts of all these men and press for their safe return.

UJC MetroWest is grateful for communal support, and for state-wide and national initiatives on behalf of the Israeli captives. Our U.S. Senators Lautenberg and Menendez, Governor Corzine, and our Congressional delegation – Representatives Ferguson, Frelinghuysen, Garrett, Pascrell, Payne, and Sires – have sought to keep pressure on the international bodies. Last year, the NJ Senate and Assembly also passed resolutions on behalf of the kidnapped Israelis. We thank Assemblyman Tom Giblin for his support, along with leadership in both chambers, including Senator Tom Kean, Jr. as the prime Senate sponsor and prime Assembly sponsors Eric Munoz, Gary Schaer, Jon Bramnick, and Amy Handlin, as they called on the UN for action.

We urge that, during these difficult times, we all to continue to focus thoughts and prayers on these Israelis, their relatives and friends, and on Israel – even while we commit ourselves to taking all action possible to secure a better future for all those in the Middle East.