Copyright 2001 Jerusalem Post
The Jerusalem Post Newspaper : Online News From Israel
November 2, 2001
(12:30) IDF Rabbi Rules: Kidnapped Soldiers 'Fell in Action'
The three soldiers kidnapped by Hizbullah forces along the Lebanese border
in October 2000 will be considered to have fallen in action, OC Chaplaincy
Corps Brig.-Gen. Yisrael Weiss ruled this morning.
There has been no word on the conditions of St.-Sgt. Binyamin Avraham,
Sgt. Adi Avitan, and their Beduin guide, St.-Sgt. Omar Suwayed since their
capture last year.
Evidence indicates one or more of the three was seriously wounded in the
kidnapping operation.
The Avraham and Avitan families have accepted Weiss's ruling and began
sitting shiva - part of the traditional Jewish mourning ritual - this
morning.
The Suwayed family is currently meeting with Weiss in Kafr Salame in the
Galilee. The Muslim family has not yet decided whether they will agree
with Weiss's ruling on the fate of Omar Suwayed, Army Radio reported.
The IDF's chief chaplain consulted Muslim religious authorities during
efforts to determine the status of the three soldiers.