Wife seeks help in D.C. for soldier's return

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The young wife of kidnapped Israeli soldier Ehud Goldwasser made an emotional appeal in Washington yesterday for help in winning the safe return of her husband.

The capture of Mr. Goldwasser, who was taken by Hezbollah on July 12 along with fellow reservist Eldad Regev, sparked a 33-day war between Israel and the Lebanon-based terrorist group that left more than 1,000 dead.

His wife, Karnit Goldwasser, said that for her, that conflict is not over.

"For me, the war has not ended -- because the goal was to bring them back," she told The Washington Times before speaking at the National Synagogue in Washington.

Israel sent about 30,000 troops into Lebanon in pursuit of Hezbollah forces before withdrawing under a United Nations-brokered cease-fire on Aug. 14. The resolution calls for the unconditional release of the two soldiers.

Mrs. Goldwasser pleaded for any sign that her 31-year-old husband and Mr. Regev are alive. She also appealed on behalf of the Israeli Defense Forces soldier Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by Hamas militants three weeks earlier and taken to the Gaza Strip.

"My instinct tells me he is alive, but I can't live only on instincts," she said. "I want an assurance that they are alive, and I want to see action. I don't know what is the way, I want the result, which is me with my husband."

She said she was disappointed in the lack of results despite the efforts of Israeli officials and world leaders.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson all have assured Mrs. Goldwasser that her husband is alive and will be returned.

"People are working [for their release], but I am unpleased with the result because there is no result," said Mrs. Goldwasser, who first met her husband, nicknamed "Udi," in junior high school.

Their first wedding anniversary is Oct. 14.

The synagogue's congregation welcomed Mrs. Goldwasser with a standing ovation. In a quiet voice, she described how she had been preparing her husband's favorite food for his return from the reserves when she learned of his kidnapping.

"While I was cooking I heard the news" that there were several Israelis dead and missing, she recalled. At 3:30 that afternoon, an officer came to tell her that her husband was missing; she learned later that he had been kidnapped.

She described how she met her husband nine years ago and said he was not a soldier but a student, a lover of nature, allergic to cats, with dreams to be a photographer.

"He is a husband, a brother, a son. This is my husband. He is my soul mate. I miss him a lot," Mrs. Goldwasser told the hushed congregation.