Sister of Israeli held in Iraq says Boehler gave family ‘hopeful’ updates

After reporting that Israeli-Russian captive Elizabeth Tsurkov may have been moved from Iraq to Iran, the Ynet news site quoted her sister Emma Tsurkov as dismissing that possibility, adding that the family is hearing positive signs from the US leadership.

After US hostage envoy Adam Boehler was reported to have visited Iraq recently to push for the academic’s release, Emma Tsurkov says she has spoken with Boehler and received “hopeful” updates.

“We have spoken directly with Boehler several times, and I have met his staff. It’s amazing how in a few weeks they have gotten things to move,” she says.

Responding to the unnamed Iraqi official speculating about Elizabeth being moved to Iran, Emma says: “It’s a convenient pretext that ‘senior’ officials say all the time. She’s not in Iran.”