The mother of one of two Israel Defense Forces soldiers held by Hezbollah on Monday accused political leaders of being more preoccupied with their own self-interests than with efforts to free them.

Goldwasser's son, Ehud, was seized along with Eldad Regev as they patrolled the northern border on July 12. The abduction sparked a 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah.

"I am referring to all of those who are supposed to be dealing with the release, or those who are directly responsible for the release of the boys," Mikki Goldwasser told Israel Radio.

	Advertisement

Goldwasser said she could not understand why the process of negotiations had taken half a year when both sides knew what the other wanted.

"I just think that six months is much longer than it should be... They want their people, we want our people, I don't understand why it has dragged on for so long."

She leveled similar accusations at Lebanon's politicians.

On Sunday, Goldwasser urged the mothers of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel to pressure both the Beirut government and Hezbollah to conclude the prisoner exchange deal.

Goldwasser says she is hoping to transmit her plea to the Lebanese women via Arab media outlets that have reporters in Israel.

"I believe that Lebanese mothers, and other relatives, are hurting as we are, and are waiting for the moment when they will see their loved ones at home," she said, adding that she would be happy to meet with her Lebanese counterparts and issue a joint statement in favor of a prisoner exchange.

Goldwasser said that she also plans to ask the organization Physicians for Human Rights, which has complained to the Israeli government on behalf of the Lebanese prisoners about their treatment, to similarly press Lebanon for information about her son and Regev.

Meanwhile, in response to reports that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected a Hamas proposal to provide a video of Israel's third kidnapped soldier, Gilad Shalit, in exchange for a substantial release of Palestinian prisoners, Gilad's father Noam said on Sunday: "I want my son back, not a video or a letter."