Pelosi meets Israeli families of captives

JERUSALEM, April 1 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with families of abducted Israeli soldiers Sunday in Israel before leaving for Lebanon and Syria.

The California Democrat, who was in Jerusalem as part of her Middle East tour, was asked by relatives to return from Lebanon and Syria with positive news about the kidnapped soldiers, YNet News reported.

Karnit Goldwasser, who had previously met with Pelosi on Hezbollah's abduction of her husband, said the U.S. politician was excited about the visit to Israel's neighbors.

"She was very excited, and so were the other Congress representatives that were with her. She said that it was very symbolic that the delegation was composed of Christians, Jews and even one Muslim," Goldwasser said.

YNet News said the families were expected to join Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik Sunday night at a dinner to honor Pelosi's visit.