“They spoke yesterday with my parents and said ‘we no longer want the ransom money. We waited long enough. We want justice in the court’”, Hassin told Walla News, explaining too much time has passed. “For a month and a half, I promised them the money. I can’t say it was because of the buzz surrounding the case in Israel the deal was called off for at the end of the day, it is a Muslim family” added Mr. Hassin.

Hassin explains when the situation unfolded he turned to the Karmei Yerushalayim NGO for monetary assistance and surprising everyone, Zaka stepped forward explaining it has raised the money needed. Zaka however would not give the Hassin family the money, explaining an attorney would open an escrow account since their son is being held in a nation that does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

“Just think what my son must be thinking I told him, that I turned to the state to get the money and now, there is no longer any hope” Hassin continued. “We have been suffering for a year and eight months…and we thought the matter would be resolved when it went public and now there is no hope even if Zaka gives me a million dollars, it will not help. There is no longer anything to be done” explains Mr. Hassin.

He adds “On 25 January I still had hope. If the machlokes with Zaka would not have occurred, if they handed over the money, we had an opportunity. This was not like one who buys a home and then changes his mind. This was life and death and one must grasp the opportunity that presented itself. I am angry with Zaka for getting involved. They did significant damage. The blood of my son is on the hands of Yehuda Mesh-Zahav”.

Hassin insists “We never asked them to get involved…we are where we are today because of Zaka. They gambled with my son’s life”.

Zaka founder and Chief Yehuda Meshi-Zahav responds “I am fed up with being a tool in this game which is not ours. The father knows very well that if he really wanted the money what had to be done – bring an attorney to open an escrow account and get the money. Not a single attorney would accept responsibility. We don’t control events here alone and he should stop trying to manipulate the Israeli public”.

Zaka sent the following to all donors of the campaign:

I am writing to update you following your generous response to the urgent campaign that the ZAKA Search and Rescue organization mounted recently, following a request from the Foreign Ministry and the family of an Israeli-Canadian who was imprisoned in an enemy Arab state and awaiting trial on a murder charge.

ZAKA, which is dedicated to saving those who can be saved, works regularly with the Israeli Foreign Ministry, carrying out international humanitarian missions from responding to terror attacks and natural disasters, to help in releasing captives. It was with the intention of continuing this work, and after lengthy consultations and enquiries through legal and diplomatic channels to corroborate the story, that ZAKA reached its decision to offer a fund-raising platform in Israel and around the world to raise the ransom money requested for the life of captive Ben Hassin.

The campaign succeeded in raising $120,000 from people like you who hoped to see this Jewish prisoner’s life spared. Since that time, the donated money has been held in escrow, until the ZAKA attorneys are satisfied that the money will be transferred through legal channels and reach its intended target. This due diligence is essential for an organization that insists on financial transparency.

However, despite the alleged urgency of the situation, after more than two weeks, the Hassin family has yet to answer the requests of the ZAKA attorneys, who are ready and willing to transfer the money – but only to an escrow account set up for the agreed purposes, and with proper legal documentation to ensure the money reaches its target. Instead, the family has only provided details of private bank accounts, or private organizations.

Despite claims by the father to the contrary, ZAKA is in regular contact with reputable bodies in the Islamic country who are working to try and free Ben Hassin or ensure a lighter sentence. Following a personal visit to the accused in prison, it was reported that Ben is in good health.

It pains us that that ZAKA’s reputation and willingness to help in humanitarian issues has been exploited. Nonetheless, we continue to monitor the situation through other credible channels on the ground and await the relevant information. The matter should be resolved in the coming weeks.

Please be assured that ZAKA will not release the money donated, unless our attorneys advise us that it will indeed be used for the purposes for which it was raised. If we are not 100% satisfied, then all the monies currently held in escrow will be returned to the donors.

Thank you, once again, for answering the call for help. We value your willingness to help others in need, just as our own ZAKA volunteers dedicate their lives to helping others in their darkest moments.

Yours sincerely

David Rose
ZAKA International Director