Elchanan Tannenbaum
Encyclopedia
Elhanan Tannenbaum, is an Israel
i businessman and formerly a colonel
in the Israel Defense Forces
, who was kidnapped for some years by the Lebanese
militant group Hezbollah.
deal. He was traveling on a forged passport. Tannenbaum's capture was announced on 16 October 2000.
His capture is believed to have been conducted by Imad Mugniyah
, a senior member of Hezbollah. The capture was executed by Sheik Kais Obeid, an Israeli Arab, a grandson of former Knesset member Diyab Obeid
, who crossed the lines to become senior officer for Hezbollah. Obeid was a close friend of Tannenbaum.
, resulted in the exchange of 435 prisoners held by Israel in return for Tannenbaum's release and the return of the bodies of three soldiers killed during an ambush along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Following his release, Tannenbaum was placed under arrest for his illegal actions that led up to his capture. He agreed to a plea-bargain and admitted to the reasons behind his travel to Dubai and described the details of his capture. In exchange, he was not tried for any crime and served no jail time. Among the 435 people released were Mustafa Dirani
and Sheikh Abdul-Karim Obeid. These two individuals were kidnapped, in 1994 and 1989 respectively, for use as bargaining chips in the effort to secure the release of the most famous of the Israeli MIAs
, Ron Arad
. Fearing the release of these men would end any hope of finding Arad, his family attempted to take legal action to prevent their release. Nothing came of this effort.
In December 2006, Tannenbaum, for the first time, admitted that he went to Dubai to complete a drug deal. He had expected to make $200,000 (€152,000) on the deal.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i businessman and formerly a colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
, who was kidnapped for some years by the Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
militant group Hezbollah.
Kidnapping
Elhanan Tannenbaum was captured after being lured under the false pretenses of a drugPsychoactive drug
A psychoactive drug, psychopharmaceutical, or psychotropic is a chemical substance that crosses the blood–brain barrier and acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it affects brain function, resulting in changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior...
deal. He was traveling on a forged passport. Tannenbaum's capture was announced on 16 October 2000.
His capture is believed to have been conducted by Imad Mugniyah
Imad Mugniyah
Imad Fayez Mughniyah , also transliterated Mughniyya, Mughniyeh, Mogniyah, , alias Hajj Radwan , was a senior member of Lebanon's Hezbollah organisation. He was alternatively described as the head of its security section, a senior intelligence official and as a founder of the organisation...
, a senior member of Hezbollah. The capture was executed by Sheik Kais Obeid, an Israeli Arab, a grandson of former Knesset member Diyab Obeid
Diyab Obeid
Diyab Obeid was an Israeli Arab politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Cooperation and Brotherhood and Cooperation and Development between 1961 and 1974.-Biography:...
, who crossed the lines to become senior officer for Hezbollah. Obeid was a close friend of Tannenbaum.
Prisoner exchange
Tannenbaum was released in January 2004 as part of a prisoner swap with Hezbollah. The swap, mediated by GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, resulted in the exchange of 435 prisoners held by Israel in return for Tannenbaum's release and the return of the bodies of three soldiers killed during an ambush along the Israeli-Lebanese border. Following his release, Tannenbaum was placed under arrest for his illegal actions that led up to his capture. He agreed to a plea-bargain and admitted to the reasons behind his travel to Dubai and described the details of his capture. In exchange, he was not tried for any crime and served no jail time. Among the 435 people released were Mustafa Dirani
Mustafa Dirani
Mustafa Dirani was a member and held position of "the head of security" of the Amal movement, a Shi'a militia in Lebanon associated with Syria. In 1987 he started contacts with pro-Iran sources, and eventually he created contacts between them and the rest of the leadership of Amal...
and Sheikh Abdul-Karim Obeid. These two individuals were kidnapped, in 1994 and 1989 respectively, for use as bargaining chips in the effort to secure the release of the most famous of the Israeli MIAs
Israeli MIAs
Israeli MIA are members of the Israel Defense Forces who are missing in action. Despite efforts to locate them and bring them home, their whereabouts remain unknown...
, Ron Arad
Ron Arad (pilot)
Lieutenant Colonel Ron Arad , was an Israeli Air Force weapon systems officer who is officially classified as missing in action since October 1986, but is widely presumed dead...
. Fearing the release of these men would end any hope of finding Arad, his family attempted to take legal action to prevent their release. Nothing came of this effort.
In December 2006, Tannenbaum, for the first time, admitted that he went to Dubai to complete a drug deal. He had expected to make $200,000 (€152,000) on the deal.
External links
- ICMIS Biography on Tannenbaum
- ICMIS collection of media articles on Tannenbaum and other missing Israeli soldiers.
- Israeli captive 'lured' by Hezbollah BBC News, 17 October 2000
- Middle East foes swap prisoners BBC News, 29 January 2004
- Israel doubts freed captive story BBC News, 17 February 2004
- Israel to probe prisoner exchange BBC News, 3 July 2004