By Patrick Reilly
Special to ASSIST News ServiceLONDON, UK (ANS) – In an open letter released through the Israeli Embassy in London, the family and friends of three Israeli soldiers “missing in action” (MIA’s) have written to the families and friends of the 15 British hostages to share in their “wonderful blessing” following their release after 13 day’s in Iran.  

In an open letter released through the Israeli Embassy in London, the family and friends of three Israeli soldiers “missing in action” (MIA’s) have written to the families and friends of the 15 British hostages to share in their “wonderful blessing” following their release after 13 day’s in Iran.  Family and friends of Gilad Schalit, Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev write of their “rejoicing in the British captive’s safe return to the UK”, televised around the world.

The family and friends of the missing Israeli three have endured ten silent months of anxiety as the whereabouts and wellbeing of the three remain uncertain.

As prayers of praise and thanks were said across the UK and around the world for the safe release of the British crew, families and friends embraced and kissed them with tears of joy and relief on their arrival at a military base in Devon.

The letter sent to ANS reveals that the families in Israel can only “imagine the excitement and joy “with the reunion taking place in the UK and “hope and pray for a similar happy ending” for their own son’s, husbands and brothers being held hostage.

The difference between the British crisis and that faced by the Israeli families is that the British hostage drama was played out in front of the media. That gave hope to the families in the UK as they could at least see their loved ones alive and well.

For the Israelis no such luxuries are offered. MIA’s are often held in solitary confinement at the mercy of their captors with very little or no contact outside of the room where they are kept.

Gilad Shalit (20) was the first of the trio to be classified as a MIA when he was captured on June 25th 2006 while on duty In Israel by a group of insurgents using a tunnel from the Gaza strip where it is believed he is being held. He had served in the IDF for just under a year.

He is described on a website as “a well-mannered, quiet and soft-spoken young man, with a smile that lights up his face. Nothing has been heard of Gilad since his capture.

Ehud (Udi) Goldwasser (31) and Eldad Regev (26) were abducted when their military post came under attack from Hezbollah on the Israeli side of the border with Lebanon. Both soldiers suffered “potentially life threatening injuries in the assault”.

In a statement released in March this year the JTA news agency quoted Sheik Hassan Nasrallah leader of Hezbollah who said that “both men are alive” but demanding a “prisoner exchange” for their safe return.

The jubilant scenes of the 15 British sailors first day back on safe soil are being broadcast live around the globe. In Israel the families of hundred of Israeli’s MIA’s are watching it unfold on their televisions intensifying their hopes and prayers for their own loved ones. 

Among them is the family of Ron Arad who was captured when he was forced to eject from his jet fighter over Lebanon in 1986. Negotiations for his release broke down soon after his detention. During his time in captivity Ron was “sold” to Iran forces in 1988. The last contact with him in captivity was a letter date September 27th 1987. It is a heartbreaking account of a life of torment and loneliness.

“Every day, I spend hours praying for this [to return home], and hope that you do too”. He wrote “I know it’s difficult, but please try to do everything you can for me.

I don’t know how, but please send a message to the powers that be, to our leaders, to the government, to anyone who is able to do something to get me out of here. Please do your best, because Lebanon is no place to be”.

Tammy, Ron’s young beautiful bride and the couples now grown up daughter have endured more than twenty years of uncertainty, refusing to accept the Israeli military belief that Ron is a MIA “presumed dead”.

Their steadfast belief and faith was encouraged in 2006 when Lebanese Television (LBC) aired a video of a bearded man that his family identified as Ron Arad.

The Rev Rob Carroll, Director of MIA.UK has welcomed and praised God for the release of the 15 Britons and is asking Christian’s to remember the Israeli MIA’s and their families and to pray for a swift and joyful release from their torment and suffering.

In an email to ANS, he wrote,” It is good to see how the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad gave us back the British hostages, as a present, it being Easter, Passover and the Prophet Mohamed’s birthday.

If only he could extend his humanitarian efforts by having released the Israeli MIA Captain Ron Arad who has been held for almost two decades by the revolutionary guards - then perhaps the Middle East could be on the road to some sort of peace.

Likewise, if only Syria could do the same for Zachary Baumel, Yehuda Katz and Zvi Feldman held hostage since 1982, Guy Heave since 1997 and more recently Eldad Regev, Ehud Goldwasser and Gilhad Shalit who have been held hostage since last year. It would really put the region on a path to peace in that troubled land.”

Prayers of thanks and praise will continue throughout the weekend for the 15 released captives as we celebrate Easter and the hope of the Gospel. The Christian church is asked to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” and “shalom” Into the hearts and homes of the MIA’s anxious families.

The Letter addressed to the “Dear friends and families of the British troops abducted by Iran” reads,

Please accept our heartfelt blessings on the wonderful news of the release of your loved ones. Sadly, we are all-too-familiar with what you must have experienced these past few days. We can only imagine the excitement, the joy and the relief you must feel, but if anyone can appreciate it, it is us.

The return home of your loved ones is a significant ray of light for us, as we hope and pray that there will be a similarly happy ending for our Gilad, Udi and Eldad, abducted from within Israeli territory 10 months ago. When your homecoming celebrations end, we very much hope that the British people will better understand our pain, as we still wait to receive news about the health and wellbeing of our abducted sons, husbands and brothers.

We rejoice in your happiness and wish you and your loved ones a swift return to normal life.

The mothers, fathers, wife, brothers and friends of Gilad Schalit, Udi Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. Abducted from inside the State of Israel by Iran’s proxies: Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza in June 2006. Their fate remains unknown.

For more information on Israel’s MIAs log onto www.freethesoldiers.ujcweb.org and also www.miauk.org.uk