Families of Israeli MIAs hold vigil

JERUSALEM, July 1 (JTA) — Families of three missing Israeli soldiers held a vigil opposite the Knesset this week in an effort to raise awareness to their plight. Staff Sgt. Zvi Feldman, Sgt. Yehuda Katz and Sgt. Zachary Baumel were captured in June 1982, during a Syrian-Israeli tank battle in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. A string of Israeli political and military leaders visited the vigil, including the prime minister and defense minister, pledging to do what they can to find the missing soldiers. “I can tell you that we are working and doing everything possible to bring them home,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I can’t say when this will happen, but we are doing everything we can.” The Israel Defense Force’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, told the families that while there was no new information, the army was doing its utmost to secure the return of the soldiers.