Copyright 2001 Ha'aretz
Ha'aretz
November 12, 2001
HEADLINE: Ron Arad's Family Received Some of his Belongings in 1999
BYLINE: Anat Cygielman
Two years ago, items that were in Ron Arad's possession when his
plane was downed over Lebanon in 1986 were returned to the family,
his brother Hen told Army radio yesterday.
Over the years, Israel had a number of opportunities to return the
missing navigator, including most recently "two years ago, when we
received some articles that belong to Ron from those same elements
who claim they have nothing to do with Ron, and don't know what
happened to him," he said, refusing to detail what was returned.
"We thought everything was going in the right direction, but it
wasn't so... the continuation was pain, a facade," Arad said.
"You see how the matter was dealt with and you know that you are
dealing with an element that has responsibility... but I didn't see
any activity to advance the matter."
Arad criticized the defense establishment in its handling of the
affair. "We really believed in the values on which we were raised;
that soldiers aren't left behind and nobody rests or stays silent
until those who are captured are returned home.
"That was the truth, but now we know it was only a cliche," he said.
"The question remains what motivates the people who are active... is
it the imprisoned soldier... or a group of bureaucrats."
In a weekend interview with Ma'ariv, Arad went further, saying that
"I know people and establishments whose only purpose in their
efforts is to protect their asses.
"Ron isn't the important thing for them. I see power struggles and
impotents trying to cover their asses."
He also said that if it becomes apparent the missing aviator is no
longer alive, the family will not demand his body for burial in
Israel. But he added that the evidence in hand does not point to
Arad being dead.
The family, he said, is demanding that a "neutral party' check all
the evidence and information collected over the years, so it can
look for mistakes and determine if there is information that has yet
to be checked.