RON ARAD Ron Arad was born on 5th May 1958 in Israel to Batya and the late
Dov Arad, the elder of three sons. On 6th October 1986 Arad was captured by members of the Amal Shi'ite militia after bailing out of his crippled war plane over the Lebanese city of Sidon. About a year after his capture, Israel received a letter and photograph from Arad’s captors and Arad’s case quickly attracted the attention of the international community. Hello Everyone, I don't know how, but please send a message to the powers that be, to our leaders, to the government, to anyone who is able to do something to get me out of here. Please do your best, because Lebanon is no place to be, and I really want to see you all -- for one shouldn't have to be held in captivity when there are other alternatives. With hope and good intentions, anything can be accomplished. Just please, don't "play with time", act as if we've run out of time! You have to speak [to the leaders, the public, the terrorists] as much as you can, and compromise whenever possible. Our lives (the hostages on both sides) are in your hands, and we are counting on you. I've heard very little about how you are doing, however one day, everything will be different. Tammy, I want to tell you, I now fully understand the subject that we've often spoken of, your wanting to help prisoners (not necessarily prisoners of war) . You can try to do something for the prisoners of this organization, to help the time pass, and help them live a better life (a little food, a prayer book, anything you do is significant). You can't imagine how important such small things are to a lonely man who is far away. I have written the most important things that I wanted to tell you. On the whole, I'm all right, and usually feel O.K. They are treating me well (I hope you do the same). Please build our (new) house, get advice from your father. Please put your all into raising our daughter( which you do wonderfully). Please guide her with the right values, she is our hope for the future! I hope to see you very soon. Just look back at the year that has passed, and you will realize that not much has been done. Please try to do more, for all our sakes. I know that it's hard, but please, convey the message that it is up to us to overcome the obstacles of hate, fear, and suspicion through compassion, love and mercy.... And then everything would change. I pray that with G-d's help, we will be able to see each other
soon, in this new year. Yom Kippur is approaching, and I will be
praying together with you that G-d blesses all of us. Let's hope
that He will help the leaders make the right choices. You also can
help, please try! I hope that you are taking care of yourselves,
and the others as well. Don't lose hope, there will be other, better,
days. With all my might, I'm trying not to give up. I'm holding
my breath and crossing my fingers.
When negotiations collapsed for Arad’s release in 1988,
Arad was ‘sold’ by Amal security chief Mustafa Dirani
to Iranian backed forces in Lebanon. Since that time there has been
much speculation as to his whereabouts. Israeli intelligence sources
have maintained that Arad is being held in Iran or Lebanon. The
Iranians have never officially admitted to holding Arad or to having
any information on his condition or location. Over the years the
German government in particular has tried to utilize its close relationship
with Iran without success.
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Today
is Sunday (I think for us it's Rosh Hashanah), September 27, 1987.
Let me first tell you how much I long to see all of you (so much
time has passed -- I think it's been about a year -- right?). I
do dream about you at times, but I try not to think too much during
the day to avoid getting too demoralized. In general, I'm in good
health, and feeling all right. They treat me well. My hand is slowly
getting better, but it will be totally better when I return to my
normal routine. (G-d and the leaders willing). Every day, I spend
hours praying for this [to return home], and hope that you do too.
I know it's difficult, but please try to do everything you can for
me.
Arad’s
wife Tami was very reluctantly forced into the public eye as was
her baby daughter and other members of the family. Tami, a very
articulate and determined person became an international figure,
meeting with politicians and media.