FREEDOM FOR ISRAELI KIDNAPPED SOLDIERS EHUD GOLDWASSER, ELDAD REGEV AND GILAD SHALIT

President Sheikh Sami DAHDA
Lebanese Red Cross
Rue Spears
Beyrouth


Dear President DAHDA,

This past summer, just prior to the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Hizbullah, three IDF soldiers were kidnapped and are still missing. We, as concerned citizens of the world, appeal to you to do all that is possible to obtain proof that the three kidnapped soldiers - Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit - are alive and well.

We, the undersigned, are calling upon the leaders of the State of Israel, the United Nations, our respective governments, and you, the president of the Lebanese Red Cross, to take all necessary steps in order to achieve an immediate and safe return of these soldiers.

We appeal to your sense of compassion and mercy and come to you with the hopes of many religions.

Let the plea of Jeremiah be heard:

And your sons shall return to their borders. (Jeremiah 31:17)

Let the words of the Torah resonate:

Merciful God, merciful God, powerful God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness and truth. (Exodus 34:6)

Let the plea of the New Testament be heard:

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:7-10)

Let the words of the Quran resonate:

Our Lord! make not our hearts to deviate after Thou has guided us aright, and grant us from Thee mercy; surely Thou are the most liberal Giver. (Quran 3:8)

And when those who believe in Our communications come to you, say: Peace be on you, your Lord has ordained mercy on Himself, (so) that if any one of you does evil in ignorance, then turns after that and acts aright, then He is Forgiving, Merciful. (Quran 6:54)

We hope that now your words, along with the persuasion of other international leaders, will yield a moral and humane resolution of this situation with the safe return of the kidnapped soldiers.

We appreciate your attention and await your actions.


Cc: Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations
President Jakob Kellenberger, ICRC
President George W. Bush, United States of America
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Israel