The dispute over Ron Arad continues. Israel Electric Company Chairman Eli Landau, whose resume includes being ex-Mayor of Herzliya, a former military correspondent, and a good friend of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, has concluded that Ron Arad is no longer among the living - at least according to Sharon. Landau told Israel Radio this morning that from his long-time acquaintance with the Prime Minister, he has no doubt that Sharon is convinced that Ron Arad is no longer alive. "The fact that Sharon is willing to make this exchange without including Arad in it is sure proof that he feels Arad is not alive," Landau said.
On the other hand, former Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told Army Radio yesterday that he is among those who believe Ron Arad is alive and being held in Iran. As such, Ben-Eliezer said, the government must work towards establishing negotiations directly with Iran.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has instructed Israeli diplomatic facilities around the world to make all efforts to obtain information on Arad's status. Shalom says that Israeli diplomats around the world should insist that their assigned countries pressure Iran for information on Ron Arad.
A government-appointed team, the Winograd Committee, recently found that there is no conclusive evidence to support the thesis that Arad is dead, thus that it must be concluded that he is alive. Committee member Meir Gilboa said, "Ron Arad was definitely alive and being held in an Iranian cell three years ago, and since then, as far as I can tell, nothing has changed."
Family members of Ron Arad were very disheartened by Sunday's Cabinet decision to release Mustafa Dirani in the possibly upcoming prisoner exchange, saying it closes the door on chances of receiving information that could lead to Arad's release. Dirani is known to have been the first to capture Arad after the latter's plane fell in Lebanese territory, and to have tortured him and carried him in the trunk of his car for an extended period before selling him to the Iranians. In an affidavit submitted to the Tel Aviv District Court yesterday, Dirani stated he never tortured Ron Arad, and actually treated him "humanely." A court hearing is scheduled for today; the Arad family has sued Dirani, in an effort to prevent his release, claiming he tortured and beat their husband/father/brother.
On the other hand, former Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer told Army Radio yesterday that he is among those who believe Ron Arad is alive and being held in Iran. As such, Ben-Eliezer said, the government must work towards establishing negotiations directly with Iran.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom has instructed Israeli diplomatic facilities around the world to make all efforts to obtain information on Arad's status. Shalom says that Israeli diplomats around the world should insist that their assigned countries pressure Iran for information on Ron Arad.
A government-appointed team, the Winograd Committee, recently found that there is no conclusive evidence to support the thesis that Arad is dead, thus that it must be concluded that he is alive. Committee member Meir Gilboa said, "Ron Arad was definitely alive and being held in an Iranian cell three years ago, and since then, as far as I can tell, nothing has changed."
Family members of Ron Arad were very disheartened by Sunday's Cabinet decision to release Mustafa Dirani in the possibly upcoming prisoner exchange, saying it closes the door on chances of receiving information that could lead to Arad's release. Dirani is known to have been the first to capture Arad after the latter's plane fell in Lebanese territory, and to have tortured him and carried him in the trunk of his car for an extended period before selling him to the Iranians. In an affidavit submitted to the Tel Aviv District Court yesterday, Dirani stated he never tortured Ron Arad, and actually treated him "humanely." A court hearing is scheduled for today; the Arad family has sued Dirani, in an effort to prevent his release, claiming he tortured and beat their husband/father/brother.