BRUSSELS (EJP)--- The families of the three Israeli kidnapped soldiers called on the European Union Wednesday to help obtain their release.

In an emotional appeal in Brussels Noam Shalit, father of Gilad Shalit, told a press conference at the European parliament: “We know that the EU is a major player in the Middle East and that it is able to make a contribution to solve this issue."

Shalit, whose son was captured by the Palestinians close to the Gaza Strip in June, told EJP that the recent agreement on cessation of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians “is a great opportunity to conclude this crisis in which my son is involved”.

“I am asking the EU to first resolve the issue of our sons as a condition for any further European economic support to the Palestinians, ” he added. “No peace in this area could come unless we can solve this problem.”

High price

Shalit said Hamas’s political bureau in Damascus has set “a very high price” for the release of his son. “They are demanding that 1,400 Palestinians be released by Israel. The Israeli government is willing to release prisoners but Hamas is not willing to compromise and to be flexible.”

Gilad Shalit

“It is hard to have no sign from your son and there is no word to describe our feeling,” said Miki Goldwasser, mother of Ehud Goldwasser who, along with Eldad Regev was kidnapped by Hezbollah last July. “We don’t know for sure if they are alive,” she added, calling on the Europeans to raise their voices in this basic humanitarian issue. “At least give us a sign of life from our sons,” she said.

Ehud Goldwasser’s wife, Karnit asked Lebanon leaders to turn to Hezbollah and ask the group to send a sign of life from the three men.

Eyal Regev, brother of Eldad Regev, asked the European countries “to take their responsibility” and implement UN Security Council resolution 1701 which ended the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and which called for the unconditional and immediate release of the abducted soldiers.

Step forward

Swedish MEP Gunnar Hokmark, chairman of “European Friends of Israel”, the pro-Israeli lobby group that has organized the press conference, called on the EU institutions to highlight this issue in all their relations with the Mideast parties. “A solution to this problem would only be a step forward in the Mideast peace process,” he said.

The conference was held ahead of a solidarity rally Wednesday afternoon in the EU quarter to which several thousands Jews from around Europe are expected to attend.

Eldad Regev (L) and Ehud Goldwasser

Since their arrival in Brussels on Tuesday, the families of the kidnapped soldiers have had several meetings with Belgian and EU officials, including Herman De Croo, chairman of the Belgian Parliament who is believed to be a close friend of his Lebanese counterpart Nabi Berri, Armand de Decker, Belgian minister for cooperation and development, Elmar Brok, chairman of the European Parliament’s foreign affairs committee and Marc Otte, the EU special Mideast representative.

Later on Wednesday they are to meet with External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner before traveling to Paris.