[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FREE THE ISRAELI SOLDIERS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2007

  Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 1-year 
anniversary of the kidnapping of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, two 
soldiers in the Israeli Defense Force who were kidnapped by Hezbollah 
operatives on the border with Lebanon on July 12, 2006. Their 
kidnapping came only a few weeks after the abduction of Gilad Shalit, 
an IDF officer seized by Hamas militants on June 25, 2006, during a 
horrific attack near Kibbutz Kerem Shalom, on the border of the Gaza 
Strip.
  These three brave young men are among eight Israeli soldiers 
kidnapped or missing in action over the last 25 years. Staff Sergeants 
Zachary Baumel, Zvi Feldman, and Yehuda Katz have been missing since 
June 11, 1982, after a battle at Sultan Yakoub in Lebanon. Major Ron 
Arad was captured on October 16, 1986, when his aircraft was shot down 
inside Lebanon. Israeli solider Guy Hever disappeared on August 17, 
1997, from an army base in the southern Golan Heights.
  Since my first day in the United States Congress, I have made 
advocating for the safe return of all Israeli soldiers a priority. 
During an official trip to Israel last July, I met with Benny Regev, 
brother of Eldad Regev, to express my deepest sympathy and concern and 
assure him of America's commitment to securing his brother's release. 
Today, I urge my colleagues to join me in renewing our commitment to 
secure the release of all Israeli prisoners of war and to hold those 
individuals, organizations, and governments involved in these 
abductions accountable for their violation of international law. In 
marking the anniversary of the kidnapping of these brave soldiers, we 
should also acknowledge the sacrifice of their families and of the 
Israeli people as they continue to defend their borders in the ongoing 
struggle for regional stability and peace.
  As Israel's strongest ally and friend, the United States must 
continue to support Israel's right to self defense, and advocate for 
the safe return of all of Israeli soldiers missing in action and being 
held as prisoners of war.

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