The families of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldiers Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit on Tuesday arrived in Brussels to urge European officials to exert influence to help release their sons.

The relatives will meet Tuesday with the head of the Belgian Red Cross, the chairman of the European Parliament and the Belgian Foreign Minister.

"Europe's policies have a big influence on what happens in Lebanon. Europe was the one who pushed for a cease-fire, and for decision 1701 of the security-council which called for the release of the soldiers," said
Om

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Omri Avni, Goldwasser's father-in-law. "That's why Europe should now take responsibility and use all of its force to demand the release of the soldiers."

On Wednesday, the families will join thoisands of Jews - including representatives of communities across Europe, the chief rabbis of Brussels and Paris, and representatives from the youth movements Hatzofim and Bnei Akiva - for a massive rally in front of the European Parliament building in Brussels.

Heads of Israeli student unions, who recently joined the campaign for the release of the soldiers, will also attend the rally. Goldwasser and Regev, who were captured while on reserve duty, were students at the time. The unions plan to start a worldwide collection of student signatures to push for the release of the soldiers.