Saturday 28 August is Gilad Shalit’s 24th birthday. As many of you already know, Gilad was kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists in a cross border raid from the Gaza Strip in June 2006. He has been held hostage by Hamas ever since with almost no contact with the outside world. He is also denied visits from the International Red Cross, which would ensure his good health.
You can read more about Gilad’s case, and find out how to help, here. I also encourage you to read about and remember the two IDF soldiers killed during his abduction. Read about Lt. Hanan Barak here, and Staff-Sgt. Pavel Slutzker here.
During my recent trip to Israel I visited the protest tent which Gilad’s parents have established outside the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. I spoke with Gilad’s father Noam, and some of the other activists. I am writing my next Jewish News column about that experience, and I will post the column here next week. In the meantime, I pray for Gilad’s swift release.
Well done for reminding us of the soldiers killed during the abduction.
I just hope that by the time he gets to come home he will still have his sanity.
A gloomy post, I know…
Your post isn’t that gloomy actually, as it pre-supposes he will eventually get to come home.
Yes; timely reminder. I am thinking of him and praying for his swift healthy return to his family.
Israel cannot give up the world in exchange for a single soldier; That would only create an incentive for Hamas to kidnap more soldiers (and civilians).
It is a question of time before the next war with Hamas. At that time Israel must crush Hamas, and use its superior position to negotiate his release. The opportunity was there in cast lead. However, Israel gave in to world pressure before it completed the task of defeating Hamas.
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