House Calls on UN to Turn Over Video of Kidnapping

(July 30, 2001)

On July 30, 2001, a resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the UN should transfer to the Israeli Government an unedited videotape which could provide material evidence for the investigation into the abduction of three Israeli Defense Force soldiers by Hezbollah forces was passed 411-4. The text and vote follow:

Whereas on October 7, 2000, Hezbollah forces illegally crossed the Israeli border with Lebanon and kidnapped 3 Israli Defense Force soldiers, Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad;

Whereas 9 months after the kidnapping, Hezbollah released no information as to the whereabouts and conditions of these soldiers;

Whereas the events leading up to, surrounding, and immediately following the kidnapping remain unknown;

Whereas after long denial the United Nations admitted to possession of a videotape that contains images which could provide material evidence for the investigation into the incident on October 7, 2000;

Whereas this videotape would help to assess the conditions of the soldiers and assist in the investigation to determine the identities of the

kidnappers and their methods; and

Whereas to date the United Nations is reluctant to transfer an uncensored form of the videotape to Israeli Government authorities investigating this incident:

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that the United Nations should immediately transfer an unedited and uncensored form of the videotape that contains images which could provide material evidence for the investigation into the incident on October 7, 2000, when Hezbollah forces abducted 3 Israeli Defense Force soldiers, Adi Avitan, Binyamin Avraham, and Omar Souad, as well as any other material evidence the United Nations may possess, to the Israeli Government to assist its investigation of this incident.

Source: Thomas