Israel’s High Court of Justice announced the release of information surrounding the abduction of Israeli businessman Elhanan Tennenbaum on Wednesday, though Israel’s censors are currently debating which parts of the controversial episode to publish.
At the time of publication, the Israeli media is reporting that Tennenbaum was persuaded by a business associate to participate in a business deal in Abu Dhabi to cancel his large debts. He was then abducted or strongly encouraged to travel to Lebanon where he was captured by Hizbullah with the collaboration of Qayis Obeid, a member of a prominent Israeli Arab family, and Qayid Bayro, the son of a notorious Middle Eastern drug lord.
Israeli FM Sylvan Shalom said that Tennenbaum did not go to Lebanon of his own will, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz.
Some sources reported that Tennenbaum was involved in an information exchange with Hizbullah.
Tennenbaum disappeared three years ago and is believed to be alive.
The Supreme Court’s decision comes as Israel and Hizbullah are engaged in prisoner-swap negotiations with Germany and the government is being pressured by a vociferous media and citizen campaign to include pilot Ron Arad in the deal.
Arad has been missing in action since 1986; he was kidnapped by Hizbullah and is believed by some to be in Iran, where Hizbullah is based.
Haaretz and Israeli TV station Channel 10 petitioned Tel Aviv district court to release information on the circumstances surrounding Tennenbaum’s abduction claiming that it was essential to the public debate on the current prisoner exchange with Hizbullah.
Tennenbaum’s family protested, contending that releasing information would endanger his life, but their appeal was rejected.
Ori Tennenbaum, Elhanan’s son, announced on Wednesday that his family would mull over the information and hold a news conference shortly.