The families of IDF soldiers Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, whom have been in Hizbullah custody since July 2006, have sent a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert calling for a cabinet vote on the proposed prisoner exchange deal this week.

They point out that there is a majority favoring the deal and too much time has already passed, seeking to compel the prime minister to present the deal to government ministers for a vote.

Contrary to the position taken in their letter, support for the deal is waning as the military and intelligence communities express concerns and opposition based on the premise the soldiers are not alive. Senior officials fear releasing a “quality prisoner” such as Samir Kuntar in exchange for bodies of soldiers sets an unwanted precedent, with many high-ranking officials insisting bodies should be exchanged for bodies and live prisoners for live soldiers.

Karnit Goldwasser, the wife of Ehud, told reporters on Monday night that she has been assured the vote will take place at the upcoming Sunday morning weekly cabinet meeting.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)