Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., April 01, 2007 Nisan 13, 5767 | | Israel Time: 23:42 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Print Edition
Diplomacy
Defense Opinion National Arts & Leisure Anglo File Sports Travel  
Magazine Week's End
Q&A
Business Underground Jewish World Real Estate Advertising  
Bookmark to del.icio.us
Ehud Goldwasser's parents, Miki (right) and Shlomo (left), attending a ceremony in Tel Aviv last week to mark 250 days to their son's abduction. (Alon Ron)
Last update - 20:24 01/04/2007
Abductee's mother: Efforts to free troops still at square one
By Haaretz Service

Miki Goldwasser, the mother of abducted Israel Defense Forces soldier Ehud Goldwasser, said Sunday efforts to release her son and fellow reserves corps soldier Eldad Regev, remain at square one since July 12 last year, the day they were kidnapped by Hezbollah.

Speaking on Israel Radio, Goldwasser said "Since the day of the abduction, as far as we're concerned, nothing has changed: We have not received a sign of life, we don't know anything..."

When asked if the state is doing enough to bring back the abductees, Goldwasser said "as far as I'm concerned enough will only be to have Udi [Ehud] back home, then I'll know they've done enough; until then I cannot be sure and cannot ascertain that enough is being done; there's always room for improvement, there's room for creativity, there's room for possibilities."

Advertisement

"I don't expect anything from this particular chief of staff or another. I have expectations, first of all, from the state, and second of all from the armed forces, so that the tenure of a specific army chief is of no relevance to me; the army is responsible for bringing Ehud, Eldad and Gilad back from captivity," she said.

Goldwasser said, however, that the Prime Minister's Office has been very prompt in responding to all their queries. "The moment we want to hear from the Prime Minister's Office we get a response," she said, adding that "when there's nothing to say nothing can be said"

Speaking about her meeting with incoming IDF Chief of Staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, Miki Goldwasser said it was a perfunctory meeting for making mutual acquaintances.

"There weren't any significant statements, it was a relaxed introductory meeting; he wanted to get to know the people [abductees' family members]."

"We talked about things [pertaining to the abduction and release of the soldiers], me more than him, but only sporadically."

Ehud Goldwasser's mother also spoke of frustration and anger.

"I can't afford to be really angry, because that would be a waste of energy as far as I'm concerned. I need to be creative and I need to work, therefore I won't paralyze myself with anger," she said.

The abductees' families called Sunday on Jews worldwide to pray for their sons' wellbeing on Seder night, Israel Radio reported.

The prayer for the wellbeing of POWs and MIAs has been translated into English, French, Russian and Spanish, and is available on the Jewish Agency's Web site, the radio said.

"You don't exactly celebrate," she said, referring to the upcoming Passover holiday. "My heart will be heavy but we will do our best to make merry with the children. I will leave an empty chair to indicate someone's missing from Seder night," she said.

Goldwasser also addressed families that told her they will not celebrate the Passover to protest the absence of the abducted soldiers: "Please, this holiday is so significant for the people of Israel, it must be celebrated, commemorated and discussed."

"For those who want to express their support, I would be happy if they also left an empty chair," she pleaded.

She added said that some of the families that told her they do not wish to celebrate Seder are unrelated to her.

Describing Ehud and her connection with him, Miki Goldwasser said that "Life, from the moment of [Ehud's] birth to his abduction has been a single continuum of happiness."

Bookmark to del.icio.us
The corrupt trinity
Everyone in the Israeli business world knows all about the corruption in the public sector.
Aiding the evacuees
The total cost for the civilian part of the disengagement will now reach NIS 7 billion.
  1.   to Abductee`s mother I say : 13:58  |  Palestinian mother 01/04/07
  2.   to #1 do you really worship GOD 15:31  |  real vision 01/04/07
  3.   #1 Palestinian Mother 15:41  |  ChanahS 01/04/07
  4.   To the Palestinian mother: 15:44  |  Richard S 01/04/07
  5.   My sympathy 15:59  |  Mark Lincoln 01/04/07
  6.   Question for Palestinian Mother ? Post No. 1 16:26  |  Johnny Weintraub 01/04/07
  7.   Mark Lincoln 20:26  |  Sarah 01/04/07
  8.   Israel`s credibility is on the line 20:57  |  MARK KLEIN, M.D. 01/04/07
  9.   #1 They will not eat up their water 22:40  |  From the Moon 01/04/07
 Today Online
Olmert calls for regional summit with Arab leaders
Responses: 171
IDF to resume operations in area beyond Gaza fence
Responses: 103
Gideon Levy: Lebanon war - Being killed without knowing why
Responses: 30
Bradley Burston: On Passover - our feast, Pharoah's grief
Responses: 27
Abbas to Merkel: Time has come to end world boycott of PA
Responses: 29
Rosner's Domain
* The final four of the moderates
* The emerging inter- marriage consensus
* Will the prospective Middle East envoys please stand up?
* Poll: Was Rice's trip to the Middle East a big success?


More Headlines
23:18 PM: Israel, U.S. have no plans to attack Iran, Syria
23:22 IDF to resume operations in area beyond Gaza security fence
23:19 Olmert invites Arab leaders to join regional peace summit
22:08 Itzik: Pelosi's trip to Syria could sway it to abandon 'axis of evil'
17:49 AG decides to add another rape count to draft indictment against Katsav
21:19 Abbas to Merkel: Time has come to end world boycott of PA gov't
23:14 Parents of murdered Golan teen petition court to reopen probe
20:24 Abductee's mother: Efforts to free troops still at square one
19:21 French gov't condemns vandalization of 50 Jewish gravestones in north
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Skin Care Products
Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off!
JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM
The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here!
A Different Israel Experience
Unique programs for adults of all ages
Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel
Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt.
CAMP KIMAMA ISRAEL
Israel's international summer camps!
Learn Hebrew Online
Learn Hebrew from the best teachers in Israel live over the Internet
Home| Print Edition| Diplomacy| Opinion| Arts & Leisure| Sports| Jewish World| Underground| Site rules|
© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved