McCain and Obama Respond to the Return of Bodies of Two Kidnapped Israeli Soldiers

Both presidential candidates released statements in which they offered condolences to the families of two kidnapped Israeli soldiers whose bodies were returned by Hezbollah Thursday.

The bodies of Sgt. Eldad Regev and Sgt. Ehud Goldwasser returned to Israel Thursday as part of a prisoner swap. The 2006 kidnapping of the sergeants, along with the abduction of Sgt. Gilad Shalit by Hamas, led to increased Israeli military operations in Lebanon and Gaza. Shalit remains a hostage of Hamas.

Here’s Mccain’s statement:

“I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the families of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser. When I met the Regev and Goldwasser families in Israel, I was moved by their profound love for their sons, who were kidnapped by Hezbollah in the summer of 2006. Now we know that Eldad and Ehud made the ultimate sacrifice for the country they served and loved. In spite of this tragic loss, Israel and the United States will remain united in their struggle against terrorism. The continuing attacks on Israel by Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist groups supported by state sponsors of terror like Syria and Iran pose a severe threat to Israel. Our democratic ally is under siege, and these two deaths are just the latest in a long line of brave Israelis who have been killed by vicious terrorists. Though we mourn the loss of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, we are reminded by this that we must never waver in our support for Israel, and we continue to demand the re lease of Gilad Shalit, taken captive by Hamas and held illegally since the summer of 2006.”

Here’s Obama’s statement:

“Today the people of Israel received confirmation of the deaths of two of their bravest sons, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. Since their capture by Hezbollah terrorists in 2006, we have all held out the hope that they were still alive and would be coming home to their families, who campaigned so heroically across the world for their return. I was honored to meet last year with Ehud’s wife Karnit and his mother Miki, who were visiting Washington on behalf of the Goldwasser, Regev, and Shalit families, and I offered them my hope and prayers and help. Today, Michelle and I offer the Goldwasser and Regev families, our deepest condolences on their loss, a tragedy no family should have to bear. In their time of extraordinary grief, an entire nation and friends throughout our country and around the world mourn with them. As they fought so hard for their loved ones’ freedom, let us all reaffirm our commitment to win the freedom of the lone remaining Israeli solider held captive by terrorists, Gilad Shalit, so that his family can be spared this pain and welcome him back into their arms.”