Professor & Mrs. Simcha and Leah Goldin, parents of IDF Lt. Hadar Goldin HY”D, arrive in the United States this week for meetings geared at gaining international support to assist them in obtaining the return of their son’s body. Hadar was killed in Gaza fighting during Operation Protective Edge along with Sgt. Oren Shaul HY”D and their bodies were snatched by Hamas.

The two were invited by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who will be traveling to the United Nations next week. The Goldins held a press conference on Tuesday 10 Elul prior to their departure, during which they thanked Mr. Netanyahu for his efforts to have the bodies returned. They thanked the Prime Minister for remaining in touch with them, adding there are others around the cabinet table who are less concerned with bringing the bodies back for kvura.

Professor Goldin feels Israel has many vantage points over Hamas and the release of prisoners is only one of them. “There is a great deal the government can do to bring back Hadar and Oren” he added. Some of the examples he cited includes Israel controls the water to Gaza as well as crossing points where building supplies enter Gaza. Goldin mentions the “deluxe” conditions given to imprisoned Hamas terrorists, insisting there is a great deal that can be done.

Mr. Goldin adds that Hadar was snatched during a ceasefire, questioning why the United Nations is not doing more. “An international body that does not abide by its own agreements loses it moral right”. Goldin feels that since the UN brokered the ceasefire, it is compelled to act to bring the bodies back.

Goldin concluded “Despite it all, we never lost our love or patriotism for our nation for a moment. This is who we are and the values upon which Hadar was education and the values upon which we must bring Hadar home in courage and humility”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)