Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger departs today for an unnamed Asian Moslem country, bordering Iran, in an effort to free missing Israeli navigator Ron Arad. Rabbi Metzger, who will be conferring with Prime Minister Sharon before his trip, will meet with an Iranian cleric named Ayatollah Khomeini - a relative of the infamous fomenter of the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran - as well as a representative of the Saudi royal family, and Moslem and Christian leaders. He says that this is the first time that religious leaders will be involved in the efforts to free Arad, and that he hopes to return with good news.
The effort on behalf of Arad comes at a particularly sensitive time, with his family accusing the Israeli government of giving him up for dead. On Oct. 16, 1986, Capt. Ron Arad's Phantom plane blew up over Sidon, Lebanon, due to mechanical problems. Arad and his pilot bailed out and landed safely, but members of PLO and Shi'ite gangs operating in the area surrounded the downed officers. The pilot was rescued in a daring IDF helicopter operation, but navigator Ron Arad was taken prisoner by Lebanese Shi'ite Amal terrorists, and has apparently been held captive ever since. The last sign of life from Arad was a photo received in 1988. The website http://www.ron-arad.org.il provides additional information, including details on his lack of basic POW rights.
Now, however, reports are increasing that a deal is underway to release Obeid and Dirani, as well as other terrorists, including possibly Marwan Barghouti, in exchange for kidnapped Israeli Elchanan Tenenbaum and the bodies of three IDF soldiers killed in 2000. Ron Arad is reportedly not included in the forming deal. Prime Minister Sharon met with Ron's family several days ago, and explained to them the moral dilemma in which he finds himself. The family responded with bitterness.
The effort on behalf of Arad comes at a particularly sensitive time, with his family accusing the Israeli government of giving him up for dead. On Oct. 16, 1986, Capt. Ron Arad's Phantom plane blew up over Sidon, Lebanon, due to mechanical problems. Arad and his pilot bailed out and landed safely, but members of PLO and Shi'ite gangs operating in the area surrounded the downed officers. The pilot was rescued in a daring IDF helicopter operation, but navigator Ron Arad was taken prisoner by Lebanese Shi'ite Amal terrorists, and has apparently been held captive ever since. The last sign of life from Arad was a photo received in 1988. The website http://www.ron-arad.org.il provides additional information, including details on his lack of basic POW rights.
Now, however, reports are increasing that a deal is underway to release Obeid and Dirani, as well as other terrorists, including possibly Marwan Barghouti, in exchange for kidnapped Israeli Elchanan Tenenbaum and the bodies of three IDF soldiers killed in 2000. Ron Arad is reportedly not included in the forming deal. Prime Minister Sharon met with Ron's family several days ago, and explained to them the moral dilemma in which he finds himself. The family responded with bitterness.