Israeli researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov, abducted in Iraq, may have been moved to Iran
U.S. efforts to secure the release of kidnapped researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov have prompted Iraqi officials to suggest that she "may have been transferred to Iran," according to Ynet News.
The Israeli academic was kidnapped from Ridha Alwan Cafe in Baghdad by the Iranian-backed Shiite militia Kataib Hezbollah on March 26, 2023. Tsurkov, who holds dual Israeli-Russian citizenship, was abducted while researching jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq for her Ph.D.
Israeli officials say that the Hezbollah Brigades, one of the most prominent paramilitary forces operating in Iraq, has been holding Tsurkov hostage.
Israel's lack of diplomatic ties with Iraq, coupled with Tsurkov's independent travel to the country, leaves Israeli officials with little leverage to pressure Iraq for her return.
The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that the terror group holding her captive is part of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a coalition of militias funded and supported by the Iraqi government despite being classified as a terrorist organization in the United States and other countries.
An Iraqi official told Ynet that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani “does not know where Tsurkov is being held," and said that "it’s a stroke of luck she’s still alive. Usually, captives don’t survive the interrogations."
Because Tsurkov had been living in New Jersey during her studies at Princeton University, the new U.S. administration has also been involved in her case, trying to secure her freedom.
The Qatari Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news outlet reported that Washington has sent messages to Iraq’s prime minister, calling for Tsurkov's release and threatening “punitive measures against Iraq – political and economic – if Tsurkov’s detention continued,” while making it clear they are holding Iraq responsible for her return, according to The Times of Israel.
On Monday, Reuters reported that the U.S. Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler had traveled to Iraq about three weeks ago to meet with senior officials. Boehler, together with U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, have been heading up the efforts to have Tsurkov released.
Iraqi officials told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that their government is enlisting the help of Shiite political leaders to secure her release.
“Washington is now the negotiator for Tsurkov’s release, not Israel.” He described the situation as “very embarrassing, due to the lack of response from any armed group to the crisis,” emphasizing that the Iraqi government “has been making real and important efforts in this case for months.”
However, he noted, “The kidnappers are not responding in any way, and their goal is not the financial ransom, which makes the case difficult.”
Emma Tsurkov, Elizabeth’s sister, has appreciated the U.S. efforts, telling Ynet, “I’ve spoken directly with Adam Boehler several times, and I’ve also met his team. The updates are encouraging. It’s amazing that in just a few weeks of determined effort, they’ve made more progress than in the previous two years. I really hope this pressure from the Americans works soon so I can hug my sister again.”
She said, “For the first time since the kidnapping – there is room for optimism.”
However, Ynet reported that, while the Iraqi government would prefer to hand the researcher over to the U.S., they genuinely don't know where she is currently located.
“The Tsurkov case is directly linked to Iran,” said an Iraqi official, adding, “Only they will decide her fate.”
Jo Elizabeth has a great interest in politics and cultural developments, studying Social Policy for her first degree and gaining a Masters in Jewish Philosophy from Haifa University, but she loves to write about the Bible and its primary subject, the God of Israel. As a writer, Jo spends her time between the UK and Jerusalem, Israel.
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