Campaign to release the three Israeli kidnapping victims continues

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 10th Jul 2007

London Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford was able to help the campaign for news and release of the three Israeli soldiers kidnapped a year ago from Israeli territory, Ehud Goldwasser, Eldad Regev and Gilad Shalit, when their family and friends visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg on July 10th. In the attached photo Sarah is pictured with (far right) her political colleague from the European Liberals and Democrats, Finnish MEP Hannu Takula and (left to right) Roi Barak, friend of Ehud Goldwasser; Benni Regev, brother of Eldav; Omri Avni, father-in-law of Ehud Goldwasser; and Ehud's father Shlomo Goldwasser.

Sarah Ludford said: "The abduction and detention of these soldiers is purely and simply illegal, like that of Alan Johnston whose joyous release we celebrated last week. To deny access to the Red Cross/Crescent or refuse to give any news about their health and wellbeing is inhumane. The groups holding these young men cannot begin to come in from the cold of international boycott as terrorist groups until they cease their violation of humanitarian and human rights laws and release them. The international community must be vocal in sending this message."