Arrr! 'Tis a tale I tell ye, a scholar from Princeton be snatched by Iran's rascally crew in Iraq, says Netanyahu!
2023-07-05
Arrr, the Israeli Cap'n Benjamin Netanyahu be claimin' that a scallywag of an Israeli scholar, who be studyin' at Princeton, be swiped away by a band o' rapscallions in Iraq, all backed by the rogue nation o' Iran, mateys!
A Princeton doctoral student, Elizabeth Tsurkov, who disappeared in Iraq while conducting research, has been revealed to have been kidnapped by an Iran-backed militia, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. Tsurkov, a dual Israeli-Russian citizen, went missing in late March but is reportedly still alive. She was visiting Iraq on her own using her Russian passport as Israel and Iraq have no diplomatic relations. Tsurkov's work focuses on the Middle East, particularly war-torn Syria, and she is an expert on regional affairs and a fellow at the New Lines Institute. Netanyahu holds Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being and states that she is being held by the Shiite militia Kataeb Hezbollah, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. The founder and leader of Kataeb Hezbollah, Mahdi al-Muhandis, was killed in a U.S. airstrike in 2020. Tsurkov's colleagues and editor have expressed hope for negotiations to secure her release and have called on U.S. officials, Princeton University, and foreign officials for assistance. An Iranian citizen reportedly involved in her kidnapping has been detained, and Iran's embassy is pushing for his release. Iraq has not released an official statement regarding the matter. Prime Minister Netanyahu assures that the situation is being handled by the relevant parties in Israel to ensure Tsurkov's security and well-being.