born to freedom

BORN TO FREEDOM FOUNDATION 10MILLION.ORG

idf priSonerS and mias mileStoneS

gilad Shalitcaptured: gaza Strip on June 25th, 2006

Born on August 28th, 1986 in Nahariya, one soldier. Gilad and one other soldier were Israel, Gilad has been held in captivity by wounded - Gilad in the shoulder. He was then the Hamas since June 25th, 2006 in the Gaza abducted from the tank and taken into the Gaza Strip. Strip. His kidnappers, who belonged to the Izz Gilad joined the IDF in July 2005 as a fighter Al Din Al Kassam wing, transferred him to the in the armored corps. During the months Resistance Committee of the Popular Front for before his kidnapping, he was stationed in the the Islamic Army. Gaza region settlements as part of an ongoing security and protection battalion. Since his kidnapping, Gilad has been held by On Sunday, June 25th, 2006, at 5:40 am, a the Hamas in the Gaza Strip.Palestinian terrorist squad crossed the border Gilad’s family has so far received letters and south of the Gaza Strip into Israel using a a video cassette from him - testimony to his tunnel located by the settlement, Kerem difficult conditions and severe distress. There Shalom. The squad attacked IDF positions and is no information regarding his health.a tank nearby. They disabled the tank using

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an anti-tank missile, wounding four soldiers an anti-tank missile, wounding four soldiers including Gilad Shalit.The missile hit the rear of the tank, killing the tank commander and

Since his kidnapping, the Israeli government Since his kidnapping, the Israeli government has been acting towards his return - so far without success.

עמותת לחופש נולד 10MILLION.ORG

maJdy halabi

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laSt Seen: dalyat el carmel on may 24dalyat el carmel on may 24th, 2005 , 2005

Born on December 22nd, 1985 in Israel. Missing since May 24th, 2005, Dalyat el Carmel, Israel.Majdy, the son of Fehamya and Nazmi, is a druze soldier from the village of Dalyat el Carmel. He is a giftted guitar player and a big soccer fan.

He served in the ordnance corps base near Tirat Ha-Carmel, south of Haifa.He was last seen on May 24th, 2005 around

5pm wearing a backpack and standing by the roadside near the Hapoalim Bank branch in the center of Dalyat el Carmel, trying to hitch a ride back to his base.

On June 6th, 2005, Majdy was declared missing.

On June 10th, 2007, the Born to Freedom Foundation began assisting in the search for Majdy Halabi, but until now, no information regarding his fate has been received.



guy hever laSt Seen: golan heightS on auguSt 17thgolan heightS on auguSt 17thgolan heightS on auguSt 17 , 1997

Born on May 30th, 1977 in Israel. Missing military identification documents. Since he since August 17th, 1997, Golan Heights, went missing and until this very day, the area Israel. has been carefully searched by the military Guy is an avid computer enthusiast, loves and other entities. music, books and science fiction. Guy was last seen as he completed night In addition, various alternatives regarding guard-duty in the artillery base on the Golan guard-duty in the artillery base on the Golan his location are being examined - both in the his location are being examined - both in the

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Heights where he was serving.He was wearing army denims, equippedwith his personal rifle and was carrying his

Golan Heights and beyond Israel’s borders. Until now, all attempts to discover his whereabouts have been in vain.


ron aradcaptured: lebanon on october 16th, 1986

Born on May 5th, 1958 in Israel. Taken prisoner on October 16th, 1986 in Lebanon.Air-force navigator Captain Ron Arad was taken prisoner on October 16th, 1986, after being forced to abandon the aircraft in which he was flying over Lebanon. He and the pilot parachuted, the pilot was evacuated under fire, and Ron was taken captive by the Amal organization near the village of Maghdouche east of Sidon. At the time of his capture, Ron was 28,married to Tammy and the father of a baby girl named Yuval. He was also a first year student

the identity of his captors - save uncorroborated reports.The Winograd committee under Supreme Court Winograd committee under Supreme Court WJustice Eliyahu Winograd, which was established in 2002 by then Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz, concluded that there is no proof that Ron Arad is not alive and proposed continuing to act as though he is still a prisoner.In October 2003, the Yediot Ahronot daily newspaper reported that three former Iranian diplomats and intelligence officials then located in Europe, claimed that Ron Arad, is alive and being held in a prison in Teheran. Moreover, they

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of chemical engineering at the Technion in of chemical engineering at the Technion in Haifa. Until April 1982, Ron was held by the Amal group. He was then transferred to Mustafa Dirani - an Amal activist backed by Iran. Among other places, Ron was held in the Lebanese village of Nabi Sheet. During this period, Ron’s family received photographs and letters from captivity, from which it transpired that his health was deteriorating. Negotiations for his release were held from the moment of his capture and until April 1988.On the night between May 5th and 6th 1988,contact with Ron was lost. Since then, nothing has been heard regarding his health, location or

claimed that Arad had been hospitalized twice claimed that Arad had been hospitalized twice due to heart problems. The Israeli intelligence community believes that Arad was held in either Iran or Lebanon by the Hezbollah, which denies this claim. The Iranians have never admitted to holding Arad or to having information on his condition or whereabouts. The latest signs to have arrived from Ron are a video broadcasted in 2006 by the Lebanese LBC network, two photographs and a letter received by his family in 2008 )as part of a prisoner swap for Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser RIP(. These were all apparently produced in 1988. During all the years since he was taken captive, all attempts to find Ron have been in vain.



zvi feldman laSt Seen: Sultan yakoub, lebanon, on June 11th, 1982

Born on December 29th, 1956 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Missing since June 11th, 1982 at the Battle for Sultan Yakoub during the First Lebanese War. Zvi’s father, Avraham, immigrated to Israel from Europe after losing his entire family during the Holocaust. His mother, Pnina immigrated to Israel from Morocco. Zvi, the eldest of four

of the 399th armored brigade.

The battle took place on June 11th, 1982 against Lebanese and Syrian forces near the village of Sultan Yakoub in the Eastern Bak’a Valley in Lebanon during the First Lebanese War. Five Israeli soldiers did not return from that battle. Several years later, two of them were

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children, was named after his grandfather, who was murdered by the Nazis.Zvi is a gentle person with artistic talents who worked to support his family. After finishing his army service, he worked as a tour guide for high-school groups. Before the outbreak of the First Lebanese War, he was accepted to the Hebrew University’s Fall Semester. Concurrently, he and his girlfriend were planning to marry.Zvi served as a loader/radio-operator during the Sultan Yakoub battle in the 362nd battalion

returned to Israel as part of a prisoner swap with Syria and the PFLP General Command under Ahmed Jibril.

Until now, attempts to obtain any information regarding his fate and that of two additional soldiers missing in that battle - ZacharyBaumel and Yehuda Katz - have been in vain.

Three soldiers have been missing since that bloody battle. Zvi is one of them.


yehuda katz laSt Seen: Sultan yakoub, lebanon, on June 11th, 1982

Born on July 18th, 1959 in Ramat Gan, Israel. Missing since June 11th, 1982 at the Battle for Sultan Yakoub during the First Lebanese War. Yehuda is the son of Holocaust survivors and has a sister and a brother. After finishing his high-school education,Yehuda decided to join an IDF Hesder unit that combines religious education

days before his expected release from active service. During that battle, Yehuda served as a gunner with the 362nd armored battalion of the 399th

armored brigade.The battle took place on June 11th, 1982 against Lebanese and Syrian forces near the village of Sultan Yakoub in the Eastern Bak’a Valley in Lebanon during the First Lebanese War.

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with military service. He divided his time with military service. He divided his time between religious studies at the Kerem Yavneh Yeshiva and his service in the IDF’s armored corps. His parents shared his dream of his one day becoming a leading scholar of Judaism and a rabbinical leader in the field of education, thus applying his talent and experience with youth.In 1982, the dream ended and was exchanged for the nightmare of Sultan Yakoub.When the First Lebanese War broke out, Yehuda was immediately mobilized and dispatched to Sultan Yakoub - a mere ten

Five Israeli soldiers did not return from that Five Israeli soldiers did not return from that battle. Several years later, two of them were returned to Israel as part of a prisoner swap with Syria and the PFLP General Command under Ahmed Jibril.

Until now, attempts to obtain any information regarding his fate and that of two additional soldiers missing in that battle - ZacharyBaumel and Zvi Feldman - have been in vain.

Three soldiers have been missing since that bloody battle. Yehuda is one of them.



zachary baumellaSt Seen: Sultan yakoub, lebanon, on June 11th, 1982

Born on November 17th, 1960 in New-York, USA. Missing since June 11th, 1982 at the Battle for Sultan Yakoub during the First Lebanese War. Zachary chose to serve in the Israel Defense Forces in a Hesder unit, which combines army service and religious education.He divided his time between studies at the

Five Israeli soldiers did not return from that battle. Two of them were Hezi Shai and Ariel Lieberman, who were taken captive after having fought alongside Zachary in the same tank. Hezi Shai was returned to Israel as part of the Jibril Swap in 1985, and Ariel Lieberman was returned as part of a prisoner exchange with returned as part of a prisoner exchange with

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Har Etzion Yeshiva in Alon Shevut, and his combat service in the armored corps.When the First Lebanese War began, Zachary was nearing the end of his army service, and had already been accepted to the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.Zachary took part in the Sultan Yakoub battle on June 11th, 1982 against Lebanese and Syrian forces near the village of Sultan Yakoub in the Eastern Bak’a Valley in Lebanon, during the First Lebanese War.

Syria.In 1993, Yaser Arafat returned part of Baumel’s dog-tag to Israel, but until this very day, no information has been received regarding his destiny.

Three soldiers have been missing since that bloody battle - Zachary Baumel, Yehuda Katz and Zvi Feldman. Until now, attempts to obtain any information regarding their fate have been in vain.

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IDF PRIsONERs AND MIssINg-IN-AcTION important dateS

zachary baumel BoRn on novemBeR 17th, 1960 new YoRk, usA. miSSing Since June 11th, 1982, BAttle oF sultAn YAkouB FiRst leBAnese wAR.

yehuda katz BoRn on julY 18th, 1959 RAmAt GAn, isRAel. miSSing Since June 11th, 1982, BAttle oF sultAn YAkouB FiRst leBAnese wAR.

zvi feldman BoRn on DeCemBeR 29th, 1956 tel Aviv, isRAel. miSSing Since June 11th, 1982, BAttle oF sultAn YAkouB FiRst leBAnese wAR.

ron arad BoRn on mAY 5th, 1958 isRAel. taken captive on october 16th, 1986, leBAnon.

gilad Shalit BoRn on AuGust 28th, 1986 nAhARiA, isRAel. taken captive on June 25th, 2006, in the GAzA stRip.

maJdy halabi BoRn on DeCemBeR 22nD, 1985 isRAel. miSSing Since may 24th, 2005, DAlYAt el kARmel, isRAel.

guy hever BoRn on mAY 30th, 1977 isRAel. miSSing Since auguSt 17thauguSt 17thauguSt 17 , 1997, GolAn heiGhts.


The Born to Freedom Foundation is a public association supported by the Government of Israel, whose aim is to return IDF prisoners and missing in action home to their families.

born to freedom FounDAtion

The founder and chairman of the organization is Atty. Eliezer Shraga. Its CEO is Gen. )rev.(Eyal Ben Reuven. Additionally, the Association is governed by a board whose members are comprised of leading figures in Israeli society.

The Association began its activities in 2004, and has since been active throughout Israel and the world, seeking relevant information about the location of prisoners and MIAs.Moreover, the Association endeavors to preserve and deepen awareness of the subject of prisoners and MIAs amongst the Israeli public and that abroad - all this in cooperation with the families of the prisoners and MIAs and other entities in Israel.

Born to Freedom’s activities are based on the central belief of Israeli society, namely that the State of Israel does not abandon its sons in enemy territory and does everything in its power to bring them back home.

The association’s basic tenet is that somewhere in the world there may be someone with information that may illuminate an aspect of the whereabouts of our MIAs. Thus, the Association undertakes various activities in Israel and around the world to obtain such information.

Information is forwarded to our Operations Hotline, which is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The hotline deals with calls in all languages, including Arabic, Persian, English and Hebrew. During the years of its existence, it has dealt with thousands of calls.

financial reward for information A financial reward of ten million dollars is being offered for reliable information that may lead to prisoners or MIAs.The Association will take all precautions to ensure total confidentiality regarding any information received or persons contacting us.

contact data for information:

Telephone: + 44 208 80 80 80 8 Fax: + 44 208 30 30 30 4 Website: www.10million.org

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a message from the ceo - gen (res.) eyal ben-reuven

Dear Readers, There are not many topics that command such a wide consensus within Israeli society as that of prisoners and MIAs.This first issue of the Born to Freedom magazine is one of the expressions of the profound position that this complex and painful issue commands within the delicate fabric of Israeli society.

The main objective of this new magazine is primarily to reflect anddisseminate this important subject, and - of course - to document the extensive activities of official Israeli entities striving to attain that “golden thread of information” that may shed light upon the destinies of each one of our seven missing and captive soldiers.

Since the beginning of this foundation’s activities, established by Atty Eliad Shraga in 2004, hundreds of thousands of people have been exposed to its work both in Israel and abroad. This magazine, along with the foundation’s revamped web site, are additional and important tools within it's array of activities, undertaken by a dedicated staff of professionals day by day, hour by hour, to attain this important information.

I would like to thank wholeheartedly each and every one of our board members for their unique and dedicated contribution towards the attainment of our goals.

As the new year is approaching, I would also like to thank those dear families, to strengthen them in their suffering, and with them to continue in hope that this year will bring upon us that ever-sowished for turning point in the issue of our missing sons.

We at Born to Freedom assure you that we will continue to do all that is in our power to discover any information that will shed light upon the destiny of our soldiers.

This installment is an introductory issue. The following issues will deal with analysis and new perspectives regarding the subject of POWs and MIAs.

Sincerely,Gen. (res.( Eyal Ben-Reuven

CEO of the Foundation

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a message from the chairman - atty. eliad Shraga

Sincerely,Atty. Eliad Shraga

Chairman of the Board

Dear Readers,We are pleased to be able to present you with Born to Freedom’s first magazine - one more aspect of our continuing activities to obtain information that may help us shed some light upon the fate of IDF soldiers who are either missing or in captivity.The issue of prisoners and MIAs has accompanied Israeli society for many years, and it is both complex and varied. One of the aims of the writers of this publication is to illuminate various points of view regarding one of the only subjects that commands an almost universal consensus in Israeli society - the desire to see our missing children return home.The moral and humanitarian imperative of “bringing the boys home” guides us every day and every hour, and accompanies this - our most sacred duty. We owe it to our captive and missing soldiers, to their families who are undergoing incalculable suffering and anguish, and to a society, itself raised upon this fundamental value.Since this foundation's inception in December 2004 and until this very moment, we have been striving endlessly to obtain information regarding our missing and captive sons, aiming for our holy objective of returning them to their families, this as one more inseparable component within the activities of many national entities, all whose desire is to attain that same goal. We use every means at hand, calling upon various communities both in Israel and abroad, anyone who can and wants to provide reliable information that may lead to our soldiers’ return or, at the very least, to solve the mystery of their continued absence. The ten million dollar prize that we offer anybody who might shed light upon our soldiers’ destiny is an important tool that in the past has helped in other places to obtain information on missing and captive soldiers for this sacred purpose.Behind the scenes, our board is comprised of senior figures in Israeli society who willingly volunteer their time and efforts so that this foundation may continue its work and bring forth the desired results. Alongside them, a wonderful and dedicated team of employees works day and night in order to draw out every detail of information from any point on the globe; and for this may they be blessed.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank them wholeheartedly for their important work.

With the advent of the New Year and in the name of the foundation and its employees, I would like to strengthen the families, who are still waiting for a sliver of information that may help bring their loved ones back home.

We shall continue to work towards this important moral cause.We shall continue until the last of our sons is home.

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members of the board – born to freedom foundation

chairman of the board attorney eliad ShragaFounder of the Born to Freedom Foundation. Owner of, and attorney in the law firm of Eliad Shraga & Assoc., which he established in 1991. Founder and Chairman of the Movement for Quality in Government in Israel, which works to strengthen the political culture based on democratic values, rule of law, good governance, integrity, and quality in government. Founder and Chairman of the college for Quality Government in Israel, which aims to educate on values upon which the movement is based.

board memberS: gen. (reS.) herzl bodingerServed as Commander of the Air Force from 1996 to 1992. Currently serves as President and Chairman of RADA, President of the Air Force Association, Chairman of the Association to Fight Against Missiles, a member of the Board of Directors at the Fisher Aerospace Research Institute, and of the Therapeutic Riding Club, a trustee at the Technoda, Givat Olga, at the Jerusalem College of Technology, and at the Ariel University Center.

moody ben ShachChairman and owner of several companies engaged in energy and real estate in Israel and around the world. For 11 years, served as CEO of the Paz group – the largest gas company in the country. Served as CEO of Pazgaz after its merger with Petrogaz, which was owned by his family. Col. in reserves.

aSSaf harel CEO, Galim – Business Development and Strategy. Served as the first CEO of the Born Freedom Foundation between 2003 & 2004. Between 2005 & 2007, served as CEO of IVA – Israeli venture capital funds - IVA. Over 15 years experience in marketing and business development roles. During his military service, he was an Air Force pilot, ending his military service as a captain.

aviram wertheim Chairman of the Board of Aloni Hetz Properties & Investments Ltd., which operates in the area of real estate in Israel and worldwide. CEO Inspire Investments Ltd., which operates in a variety of industrial activities in Israel and abroad, especially in the automotive and security sectors. Served as Chairman of the Mizrahi Bank's Board of Directors.

attorney Shimon mizrahiOwner of and attorney in the Mesh law office, which he established in 1964. For 40 years he has volunteered in various roles at the Maccabi Tel Aviv Association, including as Chairman of the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball club. In addition, he is the Senior Acting Chariman of the Israel Basketball Association, a member of the Israel Olympic Committee, a Board Member of the Maccabi Center, member of the organizing committees of the International Basketball Organization and of the Euroleague. Serves as a volunteer contact for the family of missing soldier Guy Hever vis-à-vis the defense establishment.

prof. ofer SpielbergHematology administrator at the Rabin Medical Center. Col. in the reserves, serving as Chairman of the Medical Corps Scientific Council. Serves as a scientific advisor to Roche and Johnson & Johnson, and to the Dynamics Pharmacy startup company.

attorney iShai SaridPartner in the law firm of Chet, Sarid, Sapir-Chen and Labaron. Addresses various legal issues relating to the Sultan Yaakov MIAs. Major reserves. Has written and published books of prose.

doron tamir Brigadier General reserve, former chief intelligence officer. Former CEO of JFJ and STI. Served as the owner and director of Quicom Communications in South Africa in the late nineties, and former Vice President of Ness Technologies. Today, a managing partner in Cornershot & Silver-Sadau.

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ContentsDear Readers,

The issue of prisoners and MIAs is a loaded and complex one from every aspect; ithas engaged Israeli society and media for several years.

The magazine before you does not aim to cover the entire spectrum of current events regarding the topic, but to expose to anyoneinterested qualified, reliable and extensiveinformation regarding this topic thatoccupies wide sections of the Israeli public,as well as some varying points of view.

This issue will concisely present the biographies and stories behind the captureor absence of the seven captured and missing soldiers, how the topic of prisoners is dealt with in other countries that are in a state of conflict, and some of theinformation and data about the prisoners and MIAs that the Foundation has in its ever-growing archives.Additionally, the issue will describe the complexity and variety of Born toFreedom's activities, aimed at attaining reliable and trustworthy information thatmay bring about the return of these soldiers to their families.

We welcome any comments and reactions regarding this issue, and hope to be able to include our readers in the myriad of aspects dealing with Israeli missing and captivesoldiers.

Hoping your reading experience is both agreeable and constructive.

In our next issue we hope to present newrevelations and fresh perspectives related tothe mysteries behind captivity.

Danny KeiperMagazine editor

46 memberS of the board

45 born to freedom - our buSineSS card

44 a meSSage from the ceo gEN (REs) EyAl BEN-REUvEN

43 a meSSage from the chairman ATTy. ElIAD shRAgA

42 mileStoneS

41 mias and priSonerS - mileStoneS

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Chairman of the Board: Attorney Eliad Shraga CEO of the Association: Eyal Ben-Reuven Executive Editor: Ayelet Sharet, Born to Freedom Foundation Editor-in-Chief: Danny Keiper Art Director: Ruth Rudin Printing: Nachlieli Productions and Print, Ltd.

Cover: Illustration, Cover: Illustration,

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iSSue no. 1 September 2010 iSSue no. 1 September 2010

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priSoner affairS around the world around the world ThE IRAq-IRAN WAR

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