This mini poster has made its way via personalized mail to most Lebanese businessmen in this country. It has reached me as well.
For those of you who don’t speak Arabic, this ad is proposing a monetary reward of ten million Dollars for any information that could lead to finding Ron Arad, an Israeli Pilot that is thought to have disappeared in Lebanon more than ten years ago. Ron Arad (or his remains) is considered to be a major bargaining chip in the hands of Hezbollah.
Any thoughts?
PS: if you do receive any similar publications or other material that you think might interest my readers, please email them to me.
Hello, my name is Mustapha and I've been blogging about Lebanese society and politics since February 2005. 
Not that poster again!
I did not receive it by email, but it has always popped out as a spam whenever I’m surfing the net. the length of time indicates nobody has satisfied their curiosity and was interested in their offer so far. at least, maybe. On the other hand, I wonder if the Lebanese official authority would have taken care of its prisoners and missing people, the way the Israeli are taking care of this issue.
That wasn’t an email, Eve. It was an actual letter, with an envelop on which my name was printed!
The database of Lebanese businesses all around the world is available for sale (for a hefty price). Also, Lebanese Diaspora contact info is regularly published in places like: Annahar’s mul7ak al ightirab. This is where i guess they got the mailing addresses from.
They are indeed putting a lot of effort into this!
I got it in my mailbox too. Boy are they eager to find him.
And I always thought that the most sacred duty of the State is to protect the welfare of its citizens!!!
Why do you find it “amuzing” that the Israeli government is still looking for Ron Arad and above all why is it that you feel that it is an effort that should not be supported?
Why are you threatning to publish the name of people asking for the address ? What’s wrong with Israel trying to know the fate of Ron Arad ? Or how he is treated. Also why should people be afraid of having their name published? (I think I know the answer to the last question but I would still like to ask it). I have another hypothetical question, if someone knows that Ron Arad is being tortured, should he reveal it to the world or just keep quit.And if he does reveal it, does this automatically mean that he is pro Israel and a traitor?
If I know of anyone being tortured or treated unfairly I would anonymously reveal it for free.
Mustapha please don’t reveal my IP address ;)
ANONYMOUS Lebanese
I would give information if I had any. For free. It’s the moral thing to do, supposing that Arad is still alive.
According to Obeid he was captured alive. But after so much time, I would be surprised if he’s still alive. It would be too embarrassing to exchange him after so much time. If he didn’t die of hunger or bad treatments, then he probably was executed.
I got the poster too!
You never know if Arad is alive or not but when you hear from Syria of prisoners who have been in jail for more than 15 years tortured amd abused, you can assume that Arad is still alive. Unless he died due to a medical reason or natural causes. Arad is too valuable to be mistreated!
I got the poster too!
You never know if Arad is alive or not but when you hear from Syria of prisoners who have been in jail for more than 15 years tortured amd abused, you can assume that Arad is still alive. Unless he died due to a medical reason or natural causes. Arad is too valuable to be mistreated!
Why do you assume that the poster is the work of the Israeli government? It would be nice to think that Israel would go to these lengths to find Ron Arad, but it is clearly untrue. How many Palestinian prisoners have been released by the Israeli government in the last 5 years? How many Israeli prisoners have been released in that time?
How long until Lebanese and Israelis can live, free from the violence and threats of their neighbors?
Peace, Shalom, Salaam,
Dry Bones
Israel’s political comic strip since 1973
“Ron Arad (or his remains) is considered to be a major bargaining chip in the hands of Hezbollah.”
There is no hard fact supporting the assumption that HA have him or his remains.
He is probably dead and has been for years. Remember the German-sponsored prisoner-swap between Lebanon and Israel (during which Hizbullah was largely considered the real victor)? Hizbullah initially offered to provide details of Arad’s whereabouts in return for Samir Kantar. This is an easy offer to make, since HA, knowing that Israel would not give this guy up, offered information they probably did not have just to test the Israeli mood for further negotiations. For HA, admitting that this guy is indeed dead or that they don’t know where he is actually means that they have one less bargaining chip with Israel. Don’t count on anyone “finding” his remains any time soon.
I don’t understand why you do not support finding Ron Arad? Is he “evil” , lol
Is it “resistance” if one helps keep him / his remains in the hands of whoever has him/them?
He might turn to be another Moussa el Sadr: always “moughayyab” but never dead!
As a total aside what is up with lebanese bloogers page, I can’t access it at all. Ron Arad poster looks more interesting then all the crap i get for elections tomorrow for local and state reps. The phone calls are driving me nuts. I would be a little surprised if i got a voicemail recording re Arad!
true, what happened to the Lebanese bloggers?
I don’t really understand the purpose of this post.
What is the message you want to convey?
Where has your humanity gone?
Do you condone hiding a prisoner in
total secrecy for almost 20 years?
No wonder so many Lebanese have vanished
in Syrian jails.
If I had any information about this
poor guy I would not hesitate calling
the nearest Israeli embassy.
I echo the sentiment of the many responders, why Mustafa do you label someone a snitch for providing information on the whereabouts of a prisoner? Are you too of the opinion we should perpetuate our war status with Isreal?
Guys,
Although i perfectly understand and sympathize with the humanitarian dimention of Ron Arad and his family,
I also understand the security threat revealing his wearabouts could entail.
To be Honest, i don’t trust Israel’s respect of our sovereignty, and i’m sure that if someone reveals Arad’s location, an Israeli “security” comando operation to get him might claim Lebanese lives and destroy Lebanese property. Let’s not forget that Israel’s favorite sport nowaday is invading our airspace. and until that stops, and until we trust that it fully respect our sovereignity, then maybe people might feel comfortable revealing this kind of information.
Besides, you guys all seem very suprised, but you’re all somehow anonymous, why? (even you vox are anonymous)
Whatever, dude. I understand everybody’s concerns regarding the safety of civilians and property and sanctity of Lebanese borders and all that, but don’t forget that, like it or not, you’re at war. It’s not customary (nor is it legally required) to respect borders that are not protected by armistice or treaty. I know that you’re probably tired of hearing of it, but if Lebanese want real legal protection that they can take to the bank (and the Security Council), then they should abandon others’ selfish demands on Lebanon and deal with Israel one-one-one, in a civilized and legal manner. Only that will stop the overflights.
And Ron Arad is still dead (probably).
I received the flyer in the mail too. All the way here in Melbourne Australia.
R.B.
take a look here.