A tale of two Shalits
AUSTRALIANS travelling to Israel for a gap year had the opportunity to meet the father of captured Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit as part of a special seminar earlier this month.
The meeting with Noam Shalit was part of the three-day advocacy seminar in Jerusalem, which was attended by 48 young Australians participating in a variety of Israel programs.
The Zionist Federation of Australia’s Israel director, Yigal Sela, said the participants asked questions about whether any progress had been made in securing his son’s release.
In response, Shalit said the window of opportunity was closing, and the ball was in Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s hands. “All the kids were very moved,” Sela said.
Sela said Shalit asked him to thank the Australian community for its ongoing efforts and support.
The fight to free Gilad Shalid continues in Israel. Gilad’s brother Yoel, was removed from an official Yom Ha’atzmaut ceremony at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl after he and his girlfriend interrupted a torch-lighting ceremony waving placards reading “Gilad is still alive”.
“After five years, it’s time to return Gilad who is in a pit in Gaza right now, and doesn’t see the light of day,” Yoel Shalit told reporters. “He can’t shout and that’s why I’m here, to shout for him.”
GARETH NARUNSKY
Yoel Shalit demonstrated at a Yom Ha’atzmaut ceremony in Israel to encourage politicians to help free his brother. Photo: Isranet
comments