Copyright 2002 Jerusalem Post
Jerusalem Post
April 24, 2002
HEADLINE: Supreme court turns down Arad family appeal
BYLINE: Jerusalem Post Internet Staff
The Supreme court turned down an appeal by the family of Ron Arad, an air force navigator listed as missing in action.
The family was attempting to block a meeting between the International Red Cross and Lebanese captives, Mustafa Dirani and Sheikh Abdel-Karim Obeid.
Obeid and Dirani are currently being held in administrative detention.
Obeid was abducted by the IDF in 1989, Dirani in 1994. Other Lebanese hostages held as bargaining chips were released following a previous High Court ruling. But the state insisted that Dirani and Obeid would threaten Israel's security if released because they were senior enemy officials.
The Supreme court ruled last August that the government must allow Hizbullah Sheikh Abdel Karim Obeid and Amal leader Mustafa Dirani to see Red Cross representatives.
Dirani has never been allowed to see Red Cross officials. Obeid has met the Red Cross in the past, but the visits were suspended.