Jerusalem – In a dramatic statement issued to the press at midnight Israel time, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert issued a clear statement that two Israeli POWs were executed in captivity by Hezbollah and that they “are no longer alive”. ÊIn Mr. Olmert’s words, “The goal and the assumption according to which we have been acting the whole time was that we are acting to bring back people who are still alive. Today, we know for certain that there is no such chance for this.”

Two years ago, Rev. Jesse Jackson, acting as an independent envoy, along with the Red Cross and the UN, all confirmed that Israeli POW’s Regev and Goldwasser were alive.

Indeed, for the past two years, at the press briefing following each weekly cabinet meeting, the Israel government cabinet secretary reported on progress reached towards the release of the two Israeli POW’s.

Mr. Olmert has now received new documentation as to the fate of the Israeli POW’s which contradicts that notion.

David Bedein can be reached at dbedein@israelbehindthenews.com. His Web site is www.IsraelBehindTheNews.com.

©The Bulletin 2008

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR