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Asharq Al-Awsat Exclusive: Greetings to Lebanon | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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London,- Asharq Al-Awsat has obtained a letter by Miki Goldwasser, mother of kidnapped reservist Ehud Goldwasser whose whereabouts have been unknown for over fourteen months.

In her open letter to the people of Lebanon, Goldwasser urged its citizens to embark on a new path to peace and to denounce Hezbollah.

The following is the full text of the letter entitled “Greetings to Lebanon”:

The Jewish New Year, more than any other holiday, symbolizes the Jewish people’s capacity to cope and recover from whatever misfortune befell them.

During the last year the Israeli people has gone through turmoil; war and destruction, the Winograd commission, protests and vigils. But the strength of the Israeli democracy has proven itself once more, in particular, its ability to deal with its failures and take stock of its problems democratically.

A year since the war, and not only has our economy stabilized, it is flourishing. The destruction has been repaired, and tourists flood northern Israel, which was hit by the war. The army is recovering, improving in the light of its weaknesses in the war. Life in Israel has gone back to normal.

As for Lebanon, 2006 was supposed to be a year of prosperity for the Lebanese people. The country was preparing for a boom of tourism; tourists from all over the world were supposed to visit and enjoy this beautiful country. But, instead of economic blooming and prosperity, the country was demolished and its people hurt. Tourists haven’t arrived. The destruction wasn’t repaired. The promises made to the Lebanese people have not been kept. There is no democracy and no freedom of speech. Lebanon is sinking. A beautiful country, the Cedars’ Land, is destroyed.

A country that could have been the pearl of the Middle East.

As Ramadan approaches, it is time for the Lebanese people to take stock. Do they want their country fading into the darkness of the Middle Ages, into living in poverty, destruction, violence and crime? Or do they want their country heading toward progress and prosperity?

I am writing to you, the Lebanese people, because your fate and mine are in the hands of one person: Nasrallah, Director General of the Hezbollah. You deserve a different country; Lebanon whose life will come back to normal and will return to thrive. It is time you demand it.

Finally, I wish you an easy fasting during the Ramadan.

This letter was written by the mother of an Israeli citizen, who is in captivity by the Hezbollah in Lebanon. She has not had any sign of life from her son since he was kidnapped in July 2006.

Sincerely,

Miki Goldwasser – Udi’s mother