Israeli woman held hostage in Iraq by Kataib Hezbollah

Israeli-Russian citizen Elizabeth Tzurkov is being held hostage by the Shi’ite militia Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq, the Prime Minister’s Office announced on Wednesday.

Tzurkov has been missing in Iraq since March, but is alive and well, considering the circumstances, a senior Israeli diplomatic source said. The PMO said that it sees Iraq as responsible for her well-being.

A senior Israeli diplomatic source said that Jerusalem is doing “all it can,” through a number of channels, to ensure her safety and return, and has been in touch with Tzurkov’s family. The source would not give details on the efforts to free her, nor would the source say which other countries are involved.

Tzurkov entered Iraq on her Russian passport to do research for her PhD at Princeton University, a senior diplomatic source said, and she has likely traveled to Lebanon and Syria as well.
Israelis cannot legally enter Iraq

It is illegal for Israelis to enter enemy states such as Iraq, even with a foreign passport. The source pointed out that the government of Israel has long warned against such travel.

Tzurkov, a former leader of the left-wing Palestinian rights NGO Gisha, was a prominent voice on Twitter with regards to the Syrian civil war for many years, and has tweeted about her IDF service. The diplomatic source said it is likely Kataib Hezbollah knew she was Israeli.

He also said it is possible that Iran is apprised of the situation.

Asked about rumors spread on social media, the diplomatic source categorically denied that Tzurkov is a Mossad agent or that she went to Iraq on any official Israeli business.

Israel preferred to keep the hostage situation quiet, but the PMO released the information ahead of a news report on the matter.

Source » jpost