Seventeen years after the disappearance of Israeli airman Ron Arad, an Israeli non-profit organization is offering $10 million in return for valid information on his fate.
The organization, established by Arad’s family, received Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s approval to offer the money. The Israeli government will finance one-third of the reward.
Starting next month, the organization will begin an advertising campaign around the world, and people with information on Arad’s fate will be able to call or send faxes and e-mails to the organization’s headquarters.
The campaign will run separately from the ongoing negotiations with the Hizbullah terror organization. Last week, Hizbullah’s secretary general said new developments have occurred in the negotiations.
The German mediator Ernest Orlau and other international elements related to the talks with Hizbullah, have rejected the announcement of the reward, saying it will make their task harder. Political sources in Jeruslaem, however, said this move will not have any effect on the talks.