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Last update - 21:08 29/06/2008 Ex-POW: Don't declare troops dead, as I was By Uri Shahak Tags: Uri Shahak, Ehud Goldwasser  Uri Shahak, who served in intelligence during the Yom Kippur War, was captured by the Syrians. This morning, in an open letter to the cabinet members as they deliberate the prisoner swap with Hezbollah, he writes: "I permit myself to write in the name of Goldwasser and Regev, because I myself have been where they are now. For eight months I was in Syrian captivity ... four of them unbearable, in solitary confinement. I endured harsh interrogations, and physical and mental torture. Every single moment I knew with all my being that Israel, which had sent me into battle, would do all it could to bring me home." Shahak wrote that when he was captured, "no one knew what happened to me, and I was declared missing." A month after his capture, his wife received an official letter from the Interior Ministry, stating he was dead. "I don't know who declared I was dead and what information he had," he wrote. However, a week after he was declared dead, it became known by chance that he was in captivity. "If that hadn't happened, the declaration of my death might have been my death sentence. That's how it is for Udi and Eldad: You don't know whether they are alive or dead," he writes. Advertisement "Today you will certainly receive information on the matter and you will hear the intelligence evaluations. However, these are mere analyses. As the individual who declared me dead in November 1973 was wrong, these evaluations also can be wrong. The decision not to support Udi and Eldad now could be a death sentence for them. You have the obligation to allow them to return home and live, even if there is a doubt in your hearts as to whether they are alive or not. I call upon you to bring Udi and Eldad home. Don't kill them." Related articles: Abducted soldier's wife: Sunday's cabinet vote may be last chance IDF Chief: It is our duty to bring the hostages home Most ministers back Hezbollah prisoner swap Mother of missing soldier: Hezbollah will kidnap again if Kuntar not returned Bookmark to del.icio.us   Death penalty Iran hands down death sentence to man who spied for Israel. Robot hospital The place where IDF treats droids wounded in the line of fire.   1.   Syrians used to hang captured Israeli soldiers&cripple or kill 08:05  |  PETER SM 29/06/08   2.   No proof, we must believe they`re alive! 08:31  |  Ros 29/06/08   3.   Peter 08:31  |  TB 29/06/08   4.   #1 Do you have any evidence? 08:42  |  Ulf 29/06/08   5.   I wish with all my heart they`re alive but with my head they`re 08:42  |  S 29/06/08   6.   TB My sources are those who treated POW`s.Here is Knesset report 13:25  |  PETER SM 29/06/08   7.   Dear Uri, you are right. But when we 13:26  |  Robert 29/06/08   8.   ULF Sunday times report 13:54  |  PETER SM 29/06/08   9.   Uri - I am sure you would have died for Israel 05:34  |  Slappy 30/06/08   10.   What a load of sentimental hogwash 06:25  |  L A 30/06/08   11.   #PeterSM Barbarism on all sides - including Israel! 10:22  |  Maureen Ann 30/06/08   12.   MAUREEN Repeating resolved issues as desperation by you 13:47  |  PETER SM 30/06/08   13.   Maureen Ann Will Never Condemn 07:41  |  Ruth 01/07/08

Read & React New law: Israel to cede land only by referendum Responses: 103 Poll: 76% of Israelis feel safer as Jews in Israel than Diaspora Responses: 37 Palestinians who approach Gaza fence will be shot, says IDF Responses: 34 Yoel Marcus: Israel, it's time to get tough Responses: 19 Report: U.S. fears Israel will attack Iran this year Responses: 21 More Headlines 10:16 Report: U.S. fears Israel will attack Iran this year 10:12 Olmert: Let's speed up deal for Shalit 11:00 Lebanon sources: Kuntar to be freed at start of Hezbollah swap 09:08 Despite Hezbollah report, the Ron Arad story is not over 10:05 Palestinians who approach Gaza fence will be shot, says IDF 10:41 Kiryat Gat tells its school girls: No romancing with Bedouin 07:00 Poll: 76% of Israelis feel safer living as Jews in Israel than in Diaspora 10:36 Third round of indirect talks with Syria set to begin in Istanbul 11:44 Israel keeps Gaza crossings closed, as Egypt eases Rafah border 11:19 Haifa-Hadera train services suspended due to derailment 10:43 Want a sex change operation? Consider doing it in Israel 08:31 New law stipulates: Territorial withdrawal only by referendum 04:22 Haaretz journalist wins investigative reporting award 05:23 Documentary on abducted soldier's wife to air Thursday Previous Editions Select Day 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun 18 jun 17 jun

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