OU COMMENDS SENATORS CLINTON AND VOINOVICH, AND REPS. ACKERMAN AND ROS-LEHTINEN FOR DEMANDING IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF CAPTIVE ISRAELI SOLDIERS

Today, the OU commended a resolution introduced yesterday by Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and George V. Voinovich (R-OH) which called for the immediate and unconditional release of three Israeli soldiers held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah, it also urges the militant groups to allow prompt medical treatment of the soldiers by representatives of the International Red Cross. The three soldiers are Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, who were abducted by Hezbollah on July 12, 2006 and Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped by Hamas on June 25, 2006. The resolution expresses ongoing concern and sympathy for the families of the three soldiers and all other missing soldiers of Israel. A Similar resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Gary Ackerman, Ileana Ros-Lehitenen and others.

Additionally, the resolution condemns Hamas and Hezbollah for cross border attacks that led to the kidnappings last year, expresses vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, and encourages strong support and deep interest in achieving a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Nathan Diament, Director of Policy at the UOJCA, stated:

All people of decency and good will must be offended and outraged by the continuing captivity of Ehud Goldwasser, Gilad Shalit and Eldad Regev. Torn by terrorists from their families and their communities, those who hold these young men against their will and those who refrain from forcing their safe return are to be condemned by civilized society. We commend Senators Hillary Clinton and George Voinovich for giving new attention to this crime and pray their efforts and those of all people of good will result in these sons of Israel being returned to their families very soon.